V. EXCHANGE OF CLASSIFIED INFORMATION IN THE CONTEXT OF CSDP OPERATIONS

Framework participation agreements govern the participation of third States or international organisations in CSDP operations. Such agreements shall include provisions on the release of EUCI generated for the purposes of CSDP operations to the contributing third States or international organisations. The maximum classification level of EUCI which may be exchanged shall be RESTREINT UE/EU RESTRICTED for civilian CSDP operations and CONFIDENTIEL UE/EU CONFIDENTIAL for military CSDP operations, unless otherwise laid down in the Decision establishing each CSDP operation. Ad hoc participation agreements concluded for a specific CSDP operation shall include provisions on the release of EUCI generated for the purposes of that operation to the contributing third State or international organisation. The maximum classification level of EUCI which may be exchanged shall be RESTREINT UE/EU RESTRICTED for civilian CSDP operations and CONFIDENTIEL UE/EU CONFIDENTIAL for military CSDP operations, unless otherwise laid down in the Decision establishing each CSDP operation. In the absence of a security of information agreement and pending the conclusion of a participation agreement, the release of EUCI generated for the purposes of the operation to a third State or international organisation participating in the operation shall be governed by an administrative arrangement to be entered into by the High Representative or subject to a decision on ad hoc release in accordance with Section VI. EUCI shall only be exchanged under such an arrangement as long as the participation of the third State or international organisation is still envisaged. The maximum classification level of EUCI which may be exchanged shall be RESTREINT UE/EU RESTRICTED for civilian CSDP operations and CONFIDENTIEL UE/EU CONFIDENTIAL for military CSDP operations, unless otherwise laid down in the Decision establishing each CSDP operation. The provisions on classified information to be included in framework participation agreements, ad hoc participation agreements and ad hoc administrative arrangements referred to in paragraphs 22 to 24 shall provide that the third State or international organisation in question shall ensure that its personnel seconded to any operation will protect EUCI in accordance with the Council’s security rules and with further guidance issued by the competent authorities, including the operation’s chain of command. If a security of information agreement is subsequently concluded between the Union and a contributing third State or international organisation, the security of information agreement shall supersede the provisions on the exchange of classified information laid down in any framework participation agreement, ad hoc participation agreement or ad hoc administrative arrangement as far as the exchange and handling of EUCI is concerned. No exchange of EUCI by electronic means shall be permitted under a framework participation agreement, ad hoc participation agreement or ad hoc administrative arrangement with a third State or international organisation, unless explicitly provided for in the agreement or arrangement in question. EUCI generated for the purposes of a CSDP operation may be disclosed to personnel seconded to that operation by third States or international organisations in accordance with paragraphs 22 to 27. When authorising access to EUCI in premises or in CIS of a CSDP operation by such personnel, measures shall be applied (including recording of EUCI disclosed) to mitigate the risk of loss or compromise. Such measures shall be defined in relevant planning or mission documents. In the absence of a security of information agreement, the release of EUCI, in the event of a specific and immediate operational need, to the host State on whose territory a CSDP operation is conducted, may be governed by an administrative arrangement to be entered into by the High Representative. This possibility shall be provided for in the Decision establishing the CSDP operation. EUCI released under such circumstances shall be restricted to that generated for the purposes of the CSDP operation and classified no higher than RESTREINT UE/EU RESTRICTED, unless a higher level of classification is laid down in the Decision establishing the CSDP operation. Under such an administrative arrangement, the host State shall be required to undertake to protect EUCI according to minimum standards which are no less stringent than those laid down in this Decision. In the absence of a security of information agreement, the release of EUCI to relevant third States and international organisations, other than those participating in a CSDP operation, may be governed by an administrative arrangement to be entered into by the High Representative. Where appropriate, this possibility, as well as any conditions attached thereto, shall be provided for in the Decision establishing the CSDP operation. EUCI released under such circumstances shall be restricted to that generated for the purposes of the CSDP operation and classified no higher than RESTREINT UE/EU RESTRICTED, unless a higher level of classification is laid down in the Decision establishing the CSDP operation. Under such an administrative arrangement, the third State or international organisation in question shall be required to undertake to protect EUCI according to minimum standards which are no less stringent than those laid down in this Decision. No implementing arrangements or assessment visits are required prior to implementing the provisions on release of EUCI in the context of paragraphs 22, 23 and 24.

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Source: EUR-Lex (Cellar) · retrieved 2026-11-01 · Text as adopted (Official Journal); later amendments are not incorporated in this text.