ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses some rules on the security of information probably do exist in every international organisation. It has now been superseded by the 'Agreement between the Parties to the North Atlantic Treaty for the security of information' of 6 March 1997. As a result, the NATO Security of Information policy became the standard for almost any piece of regulation in this area in Europe. In the European region, it has greatly influenced the development of similar policies within the WEU and, recently, also within the EU. The importance of the new public-access regulations for the development of ESDP was immediately visible: on 26 July 2000 the GSC concluded an interim Agreement on the Security of Information with NATO, by exchange of letters. In its initial stages, the ESDP was and still is dependent on external help from NATO. For this reason, the EU had to import NATO's rules on security of information before cooperation with NATO could start.
