Change of the Deputy Operation Commander at the Operational Headquarters in Rome
On the 1st of September 2025, after more than two years of dedicated service as Deputy Commander of Operation IRINI, the French Navy Rear Admiral Guillaume FONTARENSKY formally handed over his responsibilities to Rear Admiral Jean-Marc LE QUILLIEC. The ceremony, held at the Operational Headquarters, marked not only a change of leadership but also a moment of reflection on the achievements of the past years and the challenges ahead.
The handover was presided over by the Operation Commander, Rear Admiral Valentino RINALDI, who paid a sincere tribute to Rear Admiral FONTARENSKY. In his remarks, he highlighted the Admiral’s outstanding contribution to the operational success, praising his leadership, vision, and tireless commitment in strengthening cooperation within the multinational staff. “Your professionalism and dedication have left a lasting mark on Operation IRINI”, he underlined, acknowledging his important role played in guiding the Operation through a complex and dynamic maritime security environment.
Turning to the incoming Deputy Commander, Rear Admiral RINALDI warmly welcomed Rear Admiral LE QUILLIEC, expressing full confidence in his ability to carry forward the momentum of the Operation. He wished him every success in his new responsibilities, emphasizing that his experience, determination, and sense of duty would be invaluable assets to the Operation.
The ceremony was conducted in a spirit of service and continuity, underscoring the strong commitment of the European Union and its partners to ensuring the effectiveness of Operation IRINI. Launched in 2020, EUNAVFOR MED Operation IRINI is the EU’s naval mission in the Mediterranean tasked with enforcing the United Nations arms embargo on Libya, preventing the illicit export of petroleum, disrupting human smuggling networks, and providing capacity-building support to the Libyan institutions, as well as carrying out the Maritime Situational Awareness (MSA) most recent task in defense of the EU’s interests in the Mediterranean. Over the years, the Operation has become a cornerstone of European efforts to promote stability in the region, combining the constant presence and surveillance of the operational assets at sea with the diplomatic engagement of EU Member States. In this complex and challenging scenario, the handover of duties symbolizes both continuity and renewal in the pursuit of peace and maritime security.
