15.10.2013 Official Journal of the European Union L 274/1 II (Non-legislative acts) DECISIONS COUNCIL DECISION of 23 September 2013 on the security rules for protecting EU classified information (2013/488/EU) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 240(3) thereof, information which are necessary in order to protect the interests of the Union and its Member States. (6)  The Council should determine the appropriate framework for sharing EUCI held by the Council with other Union Having regard to Council Decision 2009/937/EU of institt(litions, bo.d}iles, Effices or .agenciesci as apProPriaFe, iri 1 December 2009 adopting the Council’s Rules of Procedure (1), accordance Wit f this Decision and interinstitutiona and in particular Article 24 thereof, arrangements in torce. Whereas: (7)  Union bodies and agencies established under Title V, Chapter 2, of the Treaty on European Union (TEU), Europol and Eurojust should apply, in the context of (1) In order to develop Council activities in all areas which their internal organisation, the basic principles and require handling classified information, it is appropriate minimum standards laid down in this Decision for to establish a comprehensive security system for protecting EUCI, where so provided in the act estab- protecting classified information covering the Council, lishing them. its General Secretariat and the Member States. (2)  This Decision should apply where the Council, its (8) Crisis management operations established under Title V, preparatory bodies and the General Secretariat of the Chapter 2, of the TEU and their personnel should apply Council (GSC) handle EU classified information (EUCI). the security rules adopted by the Council for protecting EUCI where so provided in the Council act establishing them. (3)  In accordance with national laws and regulations and to the extent required for the functioning of the Council, the Member States should respect this Decision where ] ) ] their competent authorities, personnel or contractors (9)  EU Special Representatives and the members of their handle EUCI, in order that each may be assured that teams ‘should apply the security rules adop.ted by the an equivalent level of protection is afforded to EUCL. Council for protecting EUCI where so provided in the relevant Council act. (4)  The Council, the Commission and the European External Act%onl service. (EE,[AS()i zre f comrmttsd E% C?pplylng (10)  This Decision is taken without prejudice to Articles 15 equivalent security standards for protecting ‘ and 16 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) and to instruments implementing them. (5)  The Council underlines the importance of associating, where appropriate, the European Parliament and other Union institutions, bodies, offices or agencies with the (11) This Decision is taken without prejudice to existing principles, standards and rules for protecting classified () OJ L 325, 11.12.2009, p. 35. practices in Member States with regard to informing their national Parliaments about the activities of the Union.