May 15, 2025 marks the thirtieth anniversary of the establishment of EUROMARFOR (European Maritime Force), a multinational maritime force founded in 1995 by France, Italy, Portugal and Spain. Established by the Treaty of Lisbon and inspired by the principles of Petersberg Declaration in 1992, EUROMARFOR was born from a strategic vision shared by the four founding Navies: to promote stability, security and cooperation in the international maritime context, through a joint, credible and effective naval presence.
Four European nations, deeply linked by naval traditions and a common vocation for cooperative security, were able to recognize early on the strategic value of the maritime domain, anticipating with EUROMARFOR that push for integration that would find full formalization in the Lisbon Treaty of 2009 and in the subsequent permanent structured cooperation (PESCO), established in 2017. A political intuition that, today as then, proves to be timely and necessary.
Over three decades of activity, EUROMARFOR has consolidated its role as a flexible operational tool at the service of European maritime security, adapting promptly to the evolution of international scenarios. Its modular structure, the biennial rotation of command and the shared direction through the Interministerial Committee (CIMIN) guarantee its operational continuity, interoperability between the participating Navies and full adherence to the strategic needs of the international context.
Currently, the Force is under the operational command of Italy, while the presidency of the CIMIN secretariat is entrusted to Portugal, which will be succeeded by Italy in July. The rotating leadership is not only a guarantee of balance among the members, but also a clear example of mutual trust and shared responsibility.
Over the last two years, EUROMARFOR has significantly increased its operational activity, both in the Mediterranean and in highly unstable maritime areas. It is currently present in the Indian Ocean in support of Operation EUNAVFOR ATALANTA and conducts presence and surveillance activities in the Gulf of Guinea, promoting cooperation with regional navies and international partners. In the Mediterranean, in addition to participating in the main multinational exercises (MARE APERTO, ITALIAN MINEX, OLIVES NOIRES, SPANISHMINEX), since last February EUROMARFOR has contributed to NATO Operation NOBLE SHIELD.
These operations demonstrate the high level of readiness and integrated response capability of the Force, which confirms itself as a concrete and credible instrument of international cooperation in the maritime domain.
Celebrating the thirtieth anniversary of EUROMARFOR also means highlighting the role of the Italian Defence in the international context, promoting a shared security vision based on integration, resilience and active presence at sea. In an era characterised by hybrid threats, regional instability and growing strategic competition, EUROMARFOR represents one of the longest-lasting and most successful expressions of European military cooperation, as well as a multiplier of effectiveness and credibility for the maritime action of the European Union and NATO.
As underlined by Admiral Aurelio De Carolis, commander in chief of the naval fleet and commander of the European Maritime Force at the end of the ceremony, “Today we are not only celebrating the achievements of the past thirty years, but also looking to the future, to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. The legacy of EUROMARFOR is not just a memory of the past, but a promise for tomorrow: our shared commitment to ensuring that the seas remain safe, open and free – today and for generations to come. Together, we will continue to sail towards a future as open and promising as the seas we protect. Long live EUROMARFOR”.
