18/07/2019 (Agence Europe) – On 16 July, the ambassadors of the Political and Security Committee appointed Italian Rear Admiral Armando Paolo Simi as the new EU Force Commander for the European Union Military Operation "given his contribution to the deterrence, prevention and repression of acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast (Atalanta)". He will take up this position on 23 July replacing Spanish Rear Admiral Ricardo A. Hernández, who had held this position since 10 March last (see EUROPE 12211/24). The Force Commander (CFdr) exercises command and control of all military forces in the area of operation. (CG)