Portugal took over command of EUROMARFOR for the fifth time.

On, September 15th, took place the handover ceremony of European Maritime Force (EUROMARFOR) change of command to Vice Admiral José Rafael Salvado de Figueiredo, succeeding Vice Admiral Aurelio de Carolis of the Italian Navy.

The ceremony took place aboard the NRP D. Francisco de Almeida, in Lisbon. Was presided by the Minister of National Defense, Nuno Melo, and attended by the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, General José Nunes da Fonseca, and the Chief of Staff of the Navy and National Maritime Authority, Admiral Jorge Nobre de Sousa, among others.

Portugal leads EUROMARFOR for the fifth time, with previous leadership positions occurring in 1998, 2009, 2010, and 2017.

EUROMARFOR was created in 1995 after the governments of France, Italy, Portugal and Spain expressed their intention to establish a Multinational Maritime Force, following a review of the European Union's structure, which sought to adapt to changing international circumstances by redefining the missions that could be undertaken and identifying the forces needed to carry them out.

Throughout its 30 years of existence, EUROMARFOR has strengthened its visibility and international recognition, not only through participation in live operations, but also through a demanding program of operational exercises. These exercises are organized by the Navies of member countries, by international organizations such as NATO and the European Union, or in cooperation with other countries. To date, EUROMARFOR has been activated a total of 84 times, nine of which corresponded to real operations, establishing itself as an effective initiative, thanks to its highly flexible structure, based on the concept of a non-permanent but pre-structured force.