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1. A Member State may agree to represent another Member State that is competent in accordance with Article 5 for the purpose of examining and deciding on applications on behalf of that Member State. A Member State may also represent another Member State in a limited manner solely for the collection of applications and the enrolment of biometric identifiers.

————— 3. Where the representation is limited in accordance with the second sentence of paragraph 1, the collection and the transmission of data to the represented Member State shall be carried out in compliance with the relevant data protection and security rules.

4. A bilateral arrangement shall be established between the representing Member State and the represented Member State. That arrangement:

(a) shall specify the duration of the representation, if only temporary, and the procedures for its termination;

(b) may, in particular where the represented Member State has a consulate in the third country concerned, provide for the provision of premises, staff and payments by the represented Member State.

5. Member States lacking their own consulate in a third country shall endeavour to conclude representation arrangements with Member States that have consulates in that country.

6. With a view to ensuring that a poor transport infrastructure or long distances in a specific region or geographical area does not require a disproportionate effort on the part of applicants to have access to a consulate, Member States lacking their own consulate in that region or area shall endeavour to conclude representation arrangements with Member States that have consulates in that region or area.

7. The represented Member State shall notify the Commission of the representation arrangements or the termination of those arrangements at the latest 20 calendar days before they enter into force or are terminated, except in cases of force majeure.

8. The consulate of the representing Member State shall, at the same time as the notification referred to in paragraph 7 takes place, inform both the consulates of other Member States and the Union delegation in the jurisdiction concerned about the representation arrangements or the termination of such arrangements.

9. If the consulate of the representing Member State decides to cooperate with an external service provider in accordance with Article 43, or with accredited commercial intermediaries as provided for in Article 45, such cooperation shall include applications covered by representation arrangements. The central authorities of the represented Member State shall be informed in advance of the terms of such cooperation.

10. If a Member State is neither present nor represented in the third country where the applicant is to lodge the application, that Member State shall endeavour to cooperate with an external service provider, in accordance with Article 43, in that third country.

11. Where a consulate of a Member State in a given location experiences a prolonged technical force majeure, that Member State shall seek temporary representation by another Member State in that location for all or some categories of applicants.