European Union military operation to contribute to maritime security in the western Indian Ocean and in the Red Sea (Eunavfor Atalanta)

SUMMARY OF:

Decision 2008/918/CFSP on the launch of a European Union military operation to contribute to the deterrence, prevention and repression of acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast (Atalanta)

Joint Action 2008/851/CFSP on a European Union military operation to contribute to the deterrence, prevention and repression of acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE DECISION AND THE JOINT ACTION?

The decision approves the operation plan and the rules of engagement for the original European Union (EU) military operation to combat acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast.
The joint action sets out the mission, objectives, command structure and financing of the EU’s expanded military operation in the western Indian Ocean and the Red Sea.

KEY POINTS

Operation Atalanta

The EU naval force Atalanta (now Eunavfor Atalanta) was launched in late 2008 in response to rising levels of piracy in the western Indian Ocean as part of the EU’s integrated approach to Somalia.
It was set up under the European common security and defence policy (CSDP) and in accordance with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions (UNSCR) and international law.

Mission

Eunavfor Atalanta helps:

to protect vessels of the World Food Programme delivering food aid to displaced persons in Somalia;
to protect vulnerable vessels cruising off the Somali coast, and to deter, prevent and repress acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast;
to implement the UN arms embargo on Somalia and counter narcotic drugs trafficking, arms trafficking, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and illicit trade in charcoal off the coast of Somalia.

The European Union Military Staff supports Eunavfor Atalanta by identifying threats and conducting advance planning, with a view to keeping the Political and Security Committee (PSC) informed.

Political control and strategy

The PSC has political control and strategic direction of the EU military operation under the responsibility of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HR).
The PSC is authorised by the Council of the European Union to take certain decisions, including:
- amending planning documents, including the operation plan, the chain of command and the rules of engagement;
- the powers to take decisions on the appointment of the EU Operation Commander and/or EU Force Commander.
The Council, assisted by the HR, retains the power to decide on the objectives and termination of the military operation.

Military direction

The EU Operation Commander is responsible for the military operation.
The operation is monitored by the European Union Military Committee, which receives regular reports from the Operation Commander.

Coordination

The HR, the EU Operation Commander and the EU Force Commander closely coordinate their respective activities regarding the operation.

Eunavfor Atalanta closely coordinates with:

the EU military mission to contribute to the training of Somali security forces (EUTM Somalia);
the EU Capacity Building Mission in Somalia (EUCAP Somalia); and
the coordinated maritime presences in the north-western Indian Ocean.

FROM WHEN DO THE DECISION AND JOINT ACTION APPLY?

The decision has applied since 8 December 2008.
The joint action has applied since 10 November 2008. Its mandate has been extended a number of times, most recently until 31 December 2024.

BACKGROUND

For further information, see:

Eunavfor Atalanta (European External Action Service).

MAIN DOCUMENTS

Council Decision 2008/918/CFSP of 8 December 2008 on the launch of a European Union military operation to contribute to the deterrence, prevention and repression of acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast (Atalanta) (OJ L 330, 9.12.2008, pp. 19–20).

Council Joint Action 2008/851/CFSP of 10 November 2008 on a European Union military operation to contribute to the deterrence, prevention and repression of acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast (OJ L 301, 12.11.2008, pp. 33–37).

Successive amendments to Joint Action 2008/851/CFSP have been incorporated into the original text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.