Council Decision 2008/918/CFSP of 8 December 2008 on the launch of a European Union military operation to contribute to the deterrence, prevention and repression of acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast (Atalanta)

The Operation Plan and the Rules of Engagement concerning the EU military operation to contribute to the deterrence, prevention and repression of acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast, hereinafter referred to as ‘Operation Atalanta’, are approved.

Operation Atalanta shall be launched on 8 December 2008.

The Commander of Operation Atalanta is hereby authorised with immediate effect to release the activation order (ACTORD) in order to execute the deployment of the forces and start execution of the mission.

This Decision shall take effect on the day of its adoption.

This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.