Estonia, Germany sign agreement on exchange of classified information

TALLINN - Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna signed an agreement with Germany on the exchange and mutual protection of classified information on Tuesday, aimed at updating the legal framework between the two countries and ensuring the continuation of close security cooperation.

The current agreement between Estonia and Germany regarding classified information was signed in 2001, and since then, several significant changes have been made to the laws governing the protection of state secrets.

Tsahkna stated that the new agreement with Germany on the exchange and mutual protection of classified information establishes updated legal foundations for the exchange of classified information between Estonia and Germany, specifying the procedures for protecting the exchanged information. Estonia has entered into similar agreements with several other countries.

"Germany is one of Estonia's most important partners in economic and defense cooperation, and our close and good cooperation will continue," Tsahkna said. "This agreement enhances the cooperation opportunities between Estonia and Germany by clarifying the equivalence of classified levels and modernizing the conditions for the exchange of classified information between government agencies and, for example, defense industry companies."

The agreement was signed on behalf of Germany by Ambassador Annette Klein.