It took place yesterday, aboard the Greek frigate Hs Limnos, in the naval base of Taranto, the change ceremony of force commander of the EUNAVFOR MED IRINI operation.
Italian Rear Admiral Valentino Rinaldi has taken over tactical command of the European force, which operates in the central Mediterranean, relieving Division Admiral Stylianos A. Dimopoulos of the Hellenic Navy.
The ceremony was presided over by the commander of the operation, Admiral of Division Stefano Turchetto, who thanked Admiral Dimopoulos for his commitment and dedication. THE force commanders, with their respective staffs, are assigned on a six-monthly rotation from Italy and Greece, which also provide the flagship headquarters of the embarked command.
“Be proud of the excellent work you and your predecessors have done over the past three years – declared Admiral Turchetto addressing and thanking those present – fearless and embodying the greatest European ideals and values, with great personal sacrifice you have given so much for the common good”.
The operation has recently reached three years of activity. Hundreds of women and men from 23 European nations have contributed every day, with their tireless commitment, to the Common European Security and Defense Policy for a lasting peace to be achieved in Libya.
IRINI is the only international actor involved in enforcing the United Nations resolutions on the arms embargo on Libya for the stabilization of the North African country.
The Council of the European Union has recently extended the mandate of the EU military operation by two years, an important confirmation that takes the utmost account of the more than significant results achieved so far.
Since its inception, the EUNAVFOR MED IRINI operation has carried out checks and interrogations on almost 9000 merchant vessels, 25 suspicious vessels have been inspected at sea and, on three occasions, the relative cargoes have been seized because they violated the embargo sanctioned by the United Nations. Overall, the IRINI units have in fact found and seized around 150 armored vehicles adapted for military use.
