The Diplomat
The Government has approved to send to the Spanish Parliament the Agreement with Qatar on the exchange and mutual protection of classified information, according to a Royal Decree of the Council of Ministers on Tuesday.
The Royal Decree also authorises Spain’s consent to be bound by the agreement, which was signed in Madrid and Doha on 30 March.
The purpose of the agreement is to guarantee the protection of classified information generated or exchanged between the Parties, or by natural or legal persons under the jurisdiction of any of the Parties.
One of the objectives of the text is to provide an essential legal instrument to promote the development of the Spanish defence industry and bilateral trade in this sector.
In the defence and armaments industry, manufacturing, assembly or supply contracts often involve the sharing of confidential devices or procedures, and it is therefore necessary to establish rules under which States can safely share this classified information.
