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1. In matters related to its activities and to the extent required for the fulfilment of its tasks, the Agency shall facilitate and encourage operational cooperation between Member States and third countries, within the framework of the Union’s external policy, including with regard to the protection of fundamental rights, and in cooperation with the EEAS. The Agency and the Member States shall promote and comply with norms and standards which form part of Union law, including when carrying out activities on the territory of third countries.

2. The Agency may cooperate with the authorities of third countries competent in matters covered by this Regulation with the support of and in coordination with Union delegations, in particular with a view to promoting Union standards on asylum, assisting third countries as regards expertise and capacity building for their own asylum and reception systems, and implementing regional development and protection programmes and other actions. The Agency may carry out such cooperation within the framework of working arrangements concluded with those authorities in accordance with Union law and policy. The Management Board shall decide on those working arrangements, which shall be subject to prior approval by the Commission. The Agency shall inform the European Parliament and the Council before a working arrangement is concluded.

3. Within the framework of cooperation with third countries, the Agency may support a Member State in the implementation of resettlement schemes, at the request of that Member State.

4. Within the framework of the Union’s external policy, the Agency shall, where appropriate, participate in the implementation of international agreements concluded by the Union with third countries regarding matters covered by this Regulation.

5. The Agency may benefit from Union funding in accordance with the provisions of the relevant instruments supporting the Union’s external policy. The Agency may launch and finance technical assistance projects in third countries regarding matters covered by this Regulation.

6. The Agency shall inform the European Parliament of activities conducted pursuant to this Article by means of its annual report on the situation of asylum in the Union referred to in Article 69. That report shall also include an assessment of the cooperation with third countries.