10/06/2024 (Agence Europe) – The European Union is expected to appoint two new EU Force Commanders for operations EUNAVFOR Aspides and Atalanta in the coming days. According to the draft decision of the Member States’ ambassadors within the Political and Security Committee, Dutch Rear Admiral George Pastoor will take up this post for the EU maritime security operation to preserve freedom of navigation in the context of the crisis in the Red Sea (EUNAVFOR Aspides) from 15 June. He will replace Italian Rear Admiral Stefano Costantino, appointed in February (see EUROPE 13353/8). Spanish Vice-Admiral Manuel Alvargonzález Méndez is to become the EU Force Commander for the military operation to contribute to maritime security in the Western Indian Ocean and Red Sea ((EUNAVFOR Atalanta), replacing Italian Vice-Admiral Francesco Saladino, as of 20 June (see EUROPE 13347/26). (CG)