Javier SOLANA, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), congratulated today Commodore Antonios PAPAIOANNOU of Greece who has been designated as the EU Force Commander for the EU military operation to contribute to the deterrence, prevention and repression of acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast, which is being planned.
Javier SOLANA made the following comments:
BACKGROUND
On 11 November 2008, the Council of the EU adopted a Joint Action on an EU military operation to contribute to the deterrence, prevention and repression of acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast (EU NAVFOR Somalia / operation "Atalanta"). This operation will contribute to: (a) the protection of vessels of the World Food Programme delivering food aid to displaced persons in Somalia, in accordance with the mandate laid down in UN Security Council Resolution 1814 (2008); (b) the protection of vulnerable vessels cruising off the Somali coast, and the deterrence, prevention and repression of acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast, in accordance with the mandate laid down in UN Security Council Resolution 1816 (2008).
EU NAVFOR Somalia is an EU autonomous operation conducted in the framework of the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP). It is the first naval operation launched by the EU. Rear Admiral Philip JONES (UK) has been appointed EU Operation Commander for the operation. The EU Operational Headquarters is located at Northwood (UK).
CURRICULUM VITAE
Commodore Antonios PAPAIOANNOU
Born in Greece in 1957, Commodore Antonios PAPAIOANNOU graduated from Naval Academy in 1979. He is also a graduate of Hellenic Navy War College (Athens) and NATO Defence College (Rome). He also holds an antisubmarine warfare qualification (USA).
His sea duty assignments include:
Executive Officer of the destroyers ex-KANARIS and ex-THEMISTOCLES,
Commanding Officer of the corvette ex-AGON,
Commanding Officer of the frigate SPETSE (2001-2003),
Commandant of the Second Hellenic Frigates Squadron Command (2006-2008).
During his service, he has been deployed in the Red Sea (operation Dessert Shield) and in the Persian Gulf (operation Enduring Freedom) as commanding officer of frigate SPETSE.
His shore and staff assignments include:
Staff Officer in the Department of National Defence Policy (Navy General Staff);
Western European Union (Brussels)
Chief Director of weapon branch (Fleet Command)
Defence Attaché, Greek Embassy, London, UK.
He was promoted to Commodore in March 2008. Since April 2008, he is Chief Director of the National Operations Center (National Defense General Staff).
FOR FURTHER DETAILS:
Spokesperson of the Secretary General, High Representative for CFSP
Tel: +32 (0)2 281 6467 / 5150 / 5151 / 8239 Fax: +32 (0)2 281 5694
internet: http://www.consilium.europa.eu/solana
e-mail: presse.cabinet@consilium.europa.eu
Javier SOLANA made the following comments:
"I would like to congratulate Commodore Antonios Papaioannou on his appointment as the EU Force Commander for operation EU NAVFOR Somalia, the first EU naval operation in the framework of the European Security and Defence Policy.
Commodore Papaioannou brings his own considerable expertise and the experience of his national navy to his role as Force commander for this operation in a new area for the EU. In the accomplishment of his tasks, he will have my full support and that of the European Union as a whole."
BACKGROUND
On 11 November 2008, the Council of the EU adopted a Joint Action on an EU military operation to contribute to the deterrence, prevention and repression of acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast (EU NAVFOR Somalia / operation "Atalanta"). This operation will contribute to: (a) the protection of vessels of the World Food Programme delivering food aid to displaced persons in Somalia, in accordance with the mandate laid down in UN Security Council Resolution 1814 (2008); (b) the protection of vulnerable vessels cruising off the Somali coast, and the deterrence, prevention and repression of acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast, in accordance with the mandate laid down in UN Security Council Resolution 1816 (2008).
EU NAVFOR Somalia is an EU autonomous operation conducted in the framework of the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP). It is the first naval operation launched by the EU. Rear Admiral Philip JONES (UK) has been appointed EU Operation Commander for the operation. The EU Operational Headquarters is located at Northwood (UK).
CURRICULUM VITAE
Commodore Antonios PAPAIOANNOU
Born in Greece in 1957, Commodore Antonios PAPAIOANNOU graduated from Naval Academy in 1979. He is also a graduate of Hellenic Navy War College (Athens) and NATO Defence College (Rome). He also holds an antisubmarine warfare qualification (USA).
His sea duty assignments include:
Executive Officer of the destroyers ex-KANARIS and ex-THEMISTOCLES,
Commanding Officer of the corvette ex-AGON,
Commanding Officer of the frigate SPETSE (2001-2003),
Commandant of the Second Hellenic Frigates Squadron Command (2006-2008).
During his service, he has been deployed in the Red Sea (operation Dessert Shield) and in the Persian Gulf (operation Enduring Freedom) as commanding officer of frigate SPETSE.
His shore and staff assignments include:
Staff Officer in the Department of National Defence Policy (Navy General Staff);
Western European Union (Brussels)
Chief Director of weapon branch (Fleet Command)
Defence Attaché, Greek Embassy, London, UK.
He was promoted to Commodore in March 2008. Since April 2008, he is Chief Director of the National Operations Center (National Defense General Staff).
FOR FURTHER DETAILS:
Spokesperson of the Secretary General, High Representative for CFSP
Tel: +32 (0)2 281 6467 / 5150 / 5151 / 8239 Fax: +32 (0)2 281 5694
internet: http://www.consilium.europa.eu/solana
e-mail: presse.cabinet@consilium.europa.eu