- 1
- For the purpose of this Article:
-
- a)``authority" means an organization that is involved in the implementation of this Agreement, and includes inter alia:
- (i)the population registers;
- (ii)tax authorities;
- (iii)marriage registers;
- (iv)employment agencies;
- (v)schools and other educational institutes;
- (vi)trade authorities;
- (vii)police;
- (viii)prison services, and
- (ix)immigration offices.
- b)``information" means at least information on the beneficiary or the member of his or her family regarding his or her:
- (i)identity;
- (ii)address;
- (iii)composition of the household;
- (iv)work;
- (v)education;
- (vi)income;
- (vii)medical condition;
- (viii)decease, and
- (ix)detention.
- 2
- Concerning the application for, or the legitimacy of payment of benefits, the competent institution of a Party shall, at the request of the competent institution of the other Party, verify the information regarding the beneficiary or the members of his family. If necessary, this verification is to be carried out by the relevant authorities. The competent institution shall forward a statement of the verification along with authenticated copies of the relevant documents to the competent institution of the other Party.
- 3
- Notwithstanding paragraph 2, the competent institution of a Party shall, without prior request and to the extent possible, inform the competent institution of the other Party of any changes in the information regarding the beneficiary or the member of his family.
- 4
- The competent institutions of the Parties shall contact each other, as well as the beneficiaries, the members of their family, or their representatives, directly.
- 5
- Notwithstanding paragraph (2), the diplomatic or consular representatives and the competent institutions of a Party shall be allowed to contact the relevant authorities of the other Party directly in order to verify entitlement to benefits and legitimacy of payments to the beneficiaries.
- 6
- The relevant authorities shall lend their good offices and act as though implementing their own legislation. The administrative assistance furnished by the relevant authorities shall be free of charge. However, the competent authorities or the competent institutions of the Parties may agree to certain expenses being reimbursed.
