1.The HR shall be authorised to release to the third States associated with this Decision, as appropriate and in accordance with the needs of EUFOR RCA, EU classified information generated for the purposes of the operation, in accordance with Council Decision 2013/488/EU(1), as follows:
(a)up to the level provided in the applicable Security of Information Agreements concluded between the Union and the third State concerned; or
(b)up to the ‘CONFIDENTIEL UE/EU CONFIDENTIAL’ level in other cases.
2.The HR shall also be authorised to release to the UN and the AU, in accordance with the operational needs of EUFOR RCA, EU classified information up to ‘RESTREINT UE/ EU RESTRICTED’ level which are generated for the purposes of EUFOR RCA, in accordance with Decision 2013/488/EU. Arrangements between the HR and the competent authorities of UN and AU shall be drawn up for this purpose.
3.In the event of a specific and immediate operational need, the HR shall also be authorised to release to the host State any EU classified information up to ‘RESTREINT UE /EU RESTRICTED’ level which is generated for the purposes of the Operation, in accordance with Decision 2013/488/EU. Arrangements between the HR and the competent authorities of the host State shall be drawn up for that purpose.
4.The HR shall be authorised to release to the third States associated with this Decision any EU non-classified documents connected with the deliberations of the Council relating to the Operation and covered by the obligation of professional secrecy pursuant to Article 6(1) of the Council's Rules of Procedure(2).
5.The HR may delegate such authorisations, as well as the ability to conclude the arrangements referred to in this Article to EEAS officials, to the EU Operation Commander or to the EU Force Commander in accordance with section VII of Annex VI to Decision 2013/488/EU.
Council Decision 2013/488/EU of 23 September 2013 on the security rules for protecting EU classified information (OJ L 274, 15.10.2013, p. 1).
Council Decision 2009/937/EU of 1 December 2009 adopting the Council's Rules of Procedure (OJ L 325, 11.12.2009, p. 35).