Article 3
1. Without prejudice to the mandates of the bodies referred to in Article 5, the Standing Committee shall facilitate and ensure effective operational cooperation and coordination under Title V of Part Three of the Treaty, including in areas covered by police and customs cooperation and by authorities responsible for the control and protection of external borders. It shall also cover, where appropriate, judicial cooperation in criminal matters relevant to operational cooperation in the field of internal security. 2. The Standing Committee shall also evaluate the general direction and efficiency of operational cooperation; it shall identify possible shortcomings or failures and adopt appropriate concrete recommendations to address them. 3. The Standing Committee shall assist the Council in accordance with the provisions of Article 222 of the Treaty.