Administrative arrangements and other matters
Article 26
1. For the purpose of fulfilling its mission, the Agency may enter into administrative arrangements with third countries, organisations and entities. Such arrangements shall notably cover: (a) the principle of a relationship between the Agency and the third party; (b) provisions for consultation on subjects related to the Agency's work; (c) security matters. In so doing, it shall respect the single institutional framework and the decision-making autonomy of the Union. Each such arrangement shall be concluded by the Steering Board upon approval by the Council acting by unanimity. 2. The Agency shall pursue close working relations with the relevant elements of OCCAR and with those established under the LoI Framework Agreement, with a view to incorporating those elements or assimilating their principles and practices in due course, as appropriate and by mutual agreement. 3. Reciprocal transparency and coherent developments in the field of capabilities shall be ensured by the application of CDM procedures. Other working relations between the Agency and relevant NATO bodies shall be defined through an administrative arrangement referred to in paragraph 1, in full compliance with the established framework of cooperation and consultation between the Union and NATO. 4. Within the framework of arrangements referred to in paragraph 1, the Agency shall be entitled to establish working relations with organisations and entities other than those mentioned in paragraphs 2 and 3, with a view to facilitating their possible participation in projects and programmes. 5. Within the framework of arrangements referred to in paragraph 1, the Agency shall be entitled to establish working relations with third countries, with a view to facilitating their possible participation in specific projects and programmes. 6. Where the Agency intends to establish new working relations with organisations, entities or third countries as described in paragraphs 4 and 5 of this Article and in accordance with Article 7(4), it shall seek prior approval from the Steering Board. The Agency shall also report to the Steering Board on the developments of established relations. In the event participating Member States so request, the Agency shall convene an ad hoc meeting with participating Member States and the organisation, entity or third country, with which the Agency has entered into administrative arrangements, for the purposes of consultations and information exchange, in accordance with the relevant security rules, on the possible participation of that organisation, entity or third country in specific projects and programmes.