Confidentiality and classified information
Article 5
Member States and the Commission shall ensure the protection of information which is considered confidential or classified by a Member State, an international institution, the Commission or any third party, in accordance with EU and national law, in particular: — business confidential information, — information in relation to protection of privacy, and — information in relation to public security and defence. This shall be without prejudice to the right of relevant authorities to undertake disclosure where permitted under national law and if such a disclosure is essential for the purposes of fulfilling their duties. Such disclosure shall be proportionate and shall have regard to the legitimate interest of the party concerned in the protection of any of the information mentioned above.