FIRST EU MARITIME OPERATIONS COMMANDERS’ MEETING HELD AT OPERATION IRINI IN ROME
Rome – On February 26, 2026, the Operation EUNAVFOR MED IRINI headquarters in Rome hosted the first EU Maritime Operations Commanders’ Meeting, a full day of discussions and exchange between the three EU naval Operations: IRINI, ATALANTA and ASPIDES, aimed at identifying the most effective solutions to enhance interoperability and coordinate efforts across the various areas of operation.
In his opening remarks, the Commander of Operation IRINI, Rear Admiral Marco Casapieri, as host Command, expressed his most sincere gratitude to the Vice Admiral Ignacio VILLANUEVA Serrano, Commander of Operation ATALANTA and to the Rear Admiral Vasileios Gryparis, Commander of Operation ASPIDES, as well as to their staffs, for their participation and prompt support of the initiative. The event also saw the attendance of staff members from the European Union Military Committee and the European Union Military Staff as well as representatives of the Italian Joint Operations Command.
Opening remarks by the commanders of EU maritime operations.
The meeting included the discussion and simultaneous development of three thematic panels on current and pressing issues, conducted by personnel from all Operations.
The first panel focused on Maritime Domain Awareness, addressing the growing complexity of the Shadow Fleet phenomenon and the increasing vulnerability of Critical Maritime Infrastructure. Key vulnerabilities, together with associated operational and technological risks, were thoroughly examined. Potential operational responses included enhanced maritime surveillance, advanced tracking technologies, and strengthened information-sharing mechanisms.
The second panel assessed the maritime security environment outside the European Union, focusing on emerging challenges and strategic risks in key regions. It examined geopolitical dynamics, hybrid threats, and the protection of critical sea lines of communication. Opportunities for cooperation with partner countries and international organizations were also explored.
The third panel focused on fostering cooperation and synergy among the three EU Maritime Operations. Topics included practical approaches to mission planning and federated communication systems. Emphasis was placed on identifying lessons learned and translating them into actionable best practices.
Constructive and lively participation in the individual panels.
The event concluded with great satisfaction among the participants, who recognized that what was built today is not merely an opportunity for coordination, but a momentum that will carry forward into future editions of the meeting. It is now time to translate the considerations that emerged into tangible improvements, further enhancing the effectiveness of the ongoing work of EU Maritime Operations Headquarters and Task Forces.
