1. In reply to the Honourable Member's question,
the Committee of Ministers recalls that Spain ratified the Council
of Europe Convention on Access to Official Documents (CETS No. 205,
Tromsø Convention) on 27 September 2023 and that it came into force
in Spain on 1 January 2024. The Tromsø Convention is the first binding
international legal instrument to recognise the right to access
official documents held by public authorities without discrimination
and regardless of the requester's status or motives in seeking access.
2. The Committee was informed that the Government of Spain is
currently preparing a draft law on classified information that will
replace the Law on Official Secrets of 5 April 1968. It was assured
that the new law will be in line with international standards and
the possible limitations provided for in Article 3 of the Tromsø Convention.
