- 1
- For the purpose of this Article ``information" means data regarding identity, address, household and family situation, work, education, income, assets, state of health, death and detention, or any other data relevant for the implementation of this Agreement.
- 2
- With regard to the processing of an application for a benefit or the payment of a benefit, the competent institution of a Contracting Party shall, at the request of the competent institution of the other Contracting Party, verify the information regarding a beneficiary or a member of his family. If necessary, this verification shall be carried out together with the agencies. The competent institution shall forward a statement of verification along with authenticated copies of the relevant documents to the competent institution of the other Contracting Party.
- 3
- Notwithstanding paragraph 2, the competent institution of a Contracting Party shall, without prior request and to the extent possible, inform the competent institution of the other Contracting Party of any changes in the said information regarding a beneficiary or a member of his family.
- 4
- Subject to national laws, the competent institutions of the Contracting Parties may directly contact each other, as well as a beneficiary, a member of his family, or an authorised representative of the person concerned.
- 5
- Notwithstanding paragraph 2, the diplomatic or consular representatives and the competent institutions of a Contracting Party shall be allowed to directly contact the agencies of the other Contracting Party in order to verify the entitlement to a benefit or the legitimacy of the payment of a benefit.
- 6
- For the purposes of implementing this Agreement, the agencies shall lend their good offices and act as though implementing their own legislation. The administrative assistance provided by the agencies shall be free of charge. However, the competent authorities of the Contracting Parties may agree to some expenses being reimbursed.
