Finally, it should be stressed that an analysis of secrecy in international negotiations poses several limitations for researchers because of the lack of both theoretical and empirical materials. Nevertheless, the case examined in this paper involves the successful conclusion of an agreement, which enables greater insights into the negotiation process. In addition to the published material available, I have conducted a number of interviews with the negotiators in the Oslo channel. Consequently, I believe this case yields some new theoretical and empirical understanding of the competing concepts of open and secret diplomacy.