France, Australia sign accord to better sharing classified information

France and Australia signed an agreement to boost defense cooperation by improving sharing of classified information, French defense ministry said Thursday.

The accord which both sides considered it "a milestone" in bilateral strategic partnership, aims to set out mechanisms and safeguards to allow better sharing of information.

French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and Australia's Attorney-General Senator the Hon George Brandis QC agreed to classify equivalences and information handling requirements, facilitate security clearances and allocate responsibilities between the parties where contractors are engaged to projects involving classified data.

The accord also will directly support the delivery of of the future submarine program and will further enable greater cooperation on a range of national security matters, the ministry said in a statement. Endit