- 14 43. In its relations with other bodies the CPT is, of course, bound by its obligation of confidentiality. This means that it cannot disclose anything about its findings or its deliberations (though it can of course provide information on its working methods in general). Consequently, the flow of information between the CPT and the bodies concerned is very much a one-way process. 44. Particular mention should be made of the CPT's relations with the ICRC, which have turned out to be particularly fruitful, in spite of the fact that both the CPT and the ICRC are each bound by, and scrupulously observe, strict confidentiality rules. The establishment of relations between the CPT and ICRC was essential given the provisions of Article 17, paragraph 3, of the Convention ("The Committee shall not visit places which representatives or delegates of protecting powers or the International Committee of the Red Cross effectively visit on a regular basis by virtue of the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 and the Additional Protocols of 8 June 1977 thereto") and the related observations in paragraph 93 of the Explanatory Report. However, the CPT's relations with the ICRC have not been concerned only with the question of distribution of competences. In particular, through information meetings held before the CPT's first visits, the ICRC kindly made available to Committee members the extensive expertise it has gained over the years in the area of visits to places of detention (see also paragraph 37.