In the 1990s, I had an officer on my staff who was based in France and the French insisted he had a top security clearance, which was provided.
At a social event some months later, my French counterpart thanked me for sorting the clearance so quickly and I replied that I was surprised they thought it necessary. He smiled, gave me a pat on the shoulder and said: "We know he will spy on us - we just want to make sure it's only for you".
Old Duffer