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1. The competent authorities shall, without delay, exchange information on the application of Articles 2, 2a and 2b with the other Member States and the Commission, including on any authorisation granted or denied and, in the event of suspected forum shopping or other cases as appropriate, on requests for authorisation received.

2. Information received as a result of the application of this Article shall be used only for the purpose for which it was requested, including the exchanges mentioned in paragraph 4. Member States and the Commission shall ensure the protection of confidential information acquired in application of this Article in accordance with Union law and the respective national law. Member States and the Commission shall ensure that classified information provided or exchanged under this Article is not downgraded or declassified without the prior written consent of the originator.

3. Before a Member State grants an authorisation in accordance with Articles 2, 2a and 2b for a transaction which is essentially identical to a transaction which is the subject of a still valid denial issued by another Member State or by other Member States, it shall first consult the Member State or Member States which issued the denial. If, following such consultations, the Member State concerned decides to grant an authorisation, it shall inform the other Member States and the Commission thereof, providing all relevant information to explain the decision.

3a. When a Member State grants an authorisation in accordance with Articles 2(4)(d), 2a(4)(d) and 3f(4) for the sale, supply, transfer or export of the goods and technology intended for maritime safety, it shall inform the other Member States and the Commission within two weeks of the authorisation.

4. The Commission, in consultation with the Member States shall, where appropriate and on the basis of reciprocity, exchange information with partner countries, with a view to supporting the effectiveness of export control measures under this Regulation and the consistent application of export control measures applied by partner countries.