EU, Russia to seal classified data exchange deal

The agreement, six years in preparation, is expected to be signed at the next EU-Russia summit on November 18 in Stockholm, Sweden.

The European Union and Russia are on the verge of signing an agreement on exchanging "classified information", according to a document obtained Tuesday.

The agreement, six years in preparation, is expected to be signed at the next EU-Russia summit on November 18 in Stockholm, Sweden.

Under it, each party -- Russia and the 27 nation bloc -- can - decide on the release of classified information to the other party on a case-by-case basis according to its own security interests ... - the document said.

- Nothing in this agreement shall be regarded as a basis for mandatory or generic release of classified information - it said.

Moscow and Brussels will have to ensure that security classification or classification markings on the documents provided by their partner are not changed.

They also agree to common basic principles on protecting the information, including which officials might have access to it and how security clearance will be granted.

The agreement will enter into force one month after they have carried out the necessary internal procedures for it to function correctly.

On the Russian side, the FSB intelligence service will coordinate proceedings, while the EU's high representative for foreign and security policy -- currently Javier Solana -- will act on the union's behalf.