Artikel 8

1. The competent authorities of the Contracting Parties shall communicate to each other:
(a) all information of use in the application of this Agreement;
(b) all information regarding measures taken by them for the application of this Agreement;
(c) all information regarding changes made in their legislation which may affect the application of this Agreement.
2. For the purpose of applying this Agreement the authorities and institutions of the Contracting Parties shall assist one another as if it were a matter of applying their own legislation. In principle the administrative assistance furnished by the said authorities and institutions to one another shall be free of charge. However, the competent authorities of the Contracting Parties may agree to reimburse certain expenses.
3. The authorities and institutions of the Contracting Parties may, for the purpose of applying this Agreement, communicate directly.
4. The authorities and institutions of the Contracting Parties may also communicate directly with the persons concerned or their representatives, in the interests of the persons entitled to benefit from the provisions of this Agreement.
5. The competent authorities of the Contracting Parties shall make whatever arrangements may be necessary to facilitate settlement of certain particular cases concerning individuals or groups, in the interests of the persons covered by the provisions of this Agreement.