"Protection of confidentiality . 12 5/ "Upon request: "(a) The Requested State shall use its best endeavours to keep confidential the request for assistance, its contents and its supporting documents as well as the fact of granting of such assistance. If the request cannot be executed without breaching confidentiality, the Requested State shall so inform the Requesting State, which shall then determine whether the request should nevertheless be executed; "(b) The Requesting State shall keep confidential evidence and information provided by the Requested State, except to the extent that the evidence and information is needed for the investigation and proceedings described in the request. "ARTICLE 10 "1. The Requested State shall effect service of documents that are transmitted to it for this purpose by the Requesting State. 125/ Provisions relating to confidentiality will be important for many countries but may present problems to others. The nature of the provisions in individual treaties can be determined in bilateral negotiations. 126/ More detailed provisions relating to the service of documents, such as writs and judicial verdicts, can be determined bilaterally. Provisions may be desired providing for service of documents by mail or other manner, and providing for the forwarding of proof of service of the documents. For example, proof of service could be given by means of a receipt dated and signed by the person served or by means of a declaration made by the Requested State that service has been effected and stating the form and date of such service. One or other of these documents could be sent promptly to the Requesting State. The Requested State could, if the Requesting State so requests, state whether service has been effected in accordance with the law of the Requested State. If service could not be 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the legal framework for international cooperation and mutual assistance between countries, specifically in the context of requesting assistance and confidentiality of information. The language used is formal and diplomatic, suggesting that the text may be related to international agreements or treaties.

**Category**
International Cooperation, Justice