Article 1 
The Council's security regulations contained in the Annex are hereby approved.
Article 2 
1. The Secretary-General/High Representative shall take appropriate measures to ensure that, when handling EU classified information, the regulations referred to in Article 1 are respected within the General Secretariat of the Council (hereinafter referred to as ‘GSC’) by GSC officials and other servants, by GSC external contractors, and by personnel seconded to the GSC, as well as within Council premises and EU decentralised agencies ( 2 ). 2. Members States shall take appropriate measures, in accordance with national arrangements, to ensure that, when EU classified information is handled, the regulations referred to in Article 1 are respected, within their services and premises by: (a) members of Member States' permanent representations to the European Union as well as by members of national delegations attending meetings of the Council or of its bodies, or participating in other Council activities; (b) other members of the Member States' national administrations handling EU classified information, whether they serve in the territory of the Member States or abroad; and (c) Member States' external contractors and seconded personnel, handling EU classified information. Member States shall forthwith inform the GSC of the measures taken. 3. The measures referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 shall be taken before 30 November 2001.
Article 3 
In keeping with the basic principles and minimum standards of security contained in part I of the Annex, the Secretary-General/High Representative may take measures in accordance with part II, Section I(1) and (2), of the Annex.
Article 4 
As from the day of its application, this Decision shall replace: (a) Council Decision 98/319/EC of 27 April 1998 relating to the procedures whereby officials and employees of the General Secretariat of the Council may be allowed access to classified information held by the Council ( 3 ); (b) Decision of the Secretary-General/High Representative of 27 July 2000 on measures for the protection of classified information applicable to the General Secretariat of the Council ( 4 ); (c) Decision 433/97 of the Secretary-General of the Council of 22 May 1997 on the Security Clearance procedure of the officials responsible for the functioning of the Cortesy network.
Article 5 
1. This Decision shall take effect on the day of its publication. 2. It shall apply from 1 December 2001.