Article 79 — Protection of classified information

1. Classified information that is created, handled, stored, exchanged or shared under this Regulation shall be protected in accordance with the security rules set out in Commission Decision (EU, Euratom) 2015/444 or the Agreement between the Member States of the European Union, meeting within the Council, regarding the protection of classified information exchanged in the interests of the European Union, as appropriate. 2. The participating Member States shall decide who is the originator of classified foreground information generated in the implementation of eligible actions listed under Article 10. 3. The Commission shall have access to the classified information necessary for carrying out the tasks assigned to it under this Regulation concerning the eligible actions listed under Article 10. 4. In the context of a SEAP, the rules on the protection of classified information referred to in Article 45(1), point (n), shall comply with paragraph 1 of this Article. 5. Where a SEAP includes associated countries or Ukraine among its members or observers, such SEAP shall ensure a level of protection equivalent to that afforded by the Agreement between the Member States of the European Union, meeting within the Council, regarding the protection of classified information exchanged in the interests of the European Union. 6. The applicable security framework for an action shall be put in place by participating Member States at the latest before the signature of the grant agreement or the contract. The relevant documents shall form an integral part of the grant agreement or the contract. 7. The Commission shall set up a system that is security accredited in accordance with Decision (EU, Euratom) 2015/444 in order to facilitate the exchange of classified information between the Commission and the Member States and associated countries, and, where appropriate, with the applicants and the recipients.