Liaison officers
Article 8
1. Each national unit shall designate at least one liaison officer to be attached to Europol. Except as otherwise laid down in this Regulation, the liaison officers shall be subject to the national law of the designating Member State. 2. Liaison officers shall constitute the national liaison bureaux at Europol and shall be instructed by their national units to represent the interests of the latter within Europol in accordance with the national law of the designating Member State and the provisions applicable to the administration of Europol. 3. Liaison officers shall assist in the exchange of information between Europol and their Member States. 4. Liaison officers shall, in accordance with their national law, assist in the exchange of information between their Member States and the liaison officers of other Member States, third countries and international organisations. Europol's infrastructure may be used, in accordance with national law, for such bilateral exchanges also to cover crimes falling outside the scope of the objectives of Europol. All such exchanges of information shall be in accordance with applicable Union and national law. 5. The Management Board shall determine the rights and obligations of liaison officers in relation to Europol. Liaison officers shall enjoy the privileges and immunities necessary for the performance of their tasks in accordance with Article 63(2). 6. Europol shall ensure that liaison officers are fully informed of and associated with all of its activities, in so far as necessary for the performance of their tasks. 7. Europol shall cover the costs of providing Member States with the necessary premises within the Europol building and adequate support for liaison officers to perform their duties. All other costs that arise in connection with the designation of liaison officers shall be borne by the designating Member State, including the costs of equipment for liaison officers, unless the European Parliament and the Council decide otherwise on the recommendation of the Management Board.