The AA may make the appointments provided for in Article 2 after checking that the persons concerned:
(a) are nationals of one of the Member States;
(b) have fulfilled any obligations concerning statutory military service;
(c) produce the necessary character references for the performance of their duties;
(d) are physically fit to perform such duties;
(e) provide the supporting documents proving that:
(i) they were employed at the Schengen Secretariat on 2 October 1997 either as a member of the Benelux College of Secretaries-General incorporated into the Schengen Secretariat, or as a member of staff having an employment contract with the Benelux Economic Union, or as a statutory member of staff of the Benelux Secretariat incorporated into the Schengen Secretariat and were actually performing duties there,
(ii) they were still employed at the Schengen Secretariat on 1 May 1999, and
(iii) they were actually performing duties at the Schengen Secretariat on the dates referred to in (i) and (ii), involved in applying and developing the Schengen acquis, assisting the Presidency and delegations, managing financial and budget matters, translating and/or interpreting, documentation or secretarial work, with the exception of technical or administrative backup duties;
(f) provide all supporting or other documents, diplomas, qualifications or certificates proving that they have the level of qualification or experience required to perform the duties in the category or service into which they are to be integrated.