2. člen

Besedilo sporazuma se v izvirniku v slovenskem in angleškem jeziku glasi(*): A. Pismo Republike Slovenije Spoštovani! V čast mi je, da se sklicujem na besedila "Konvencije med Kraljevino Nizozemsko glede Nizozemskih Antilov in (Belgijo, Avstrijo in Luksemburgom) o avtomatični izmenjavi podatkov o obdavčevanju dohodka od prihrankov", "Konvencije med Kraljevino Nizozemsko glede Nizozemskih Antilov in (državo članico EU, ki ni Belgija, Avstrija in Luksemburg) o avtomatični izmenjavi podatkov o obdavčevanju dohodka od prihrankov", "Konvencije med Kraljevino Nizozemsko glede Arube in (državo članico EU, ki ni Belgija, Avstrija in Luksemburg) o avtomatični izmenjavi podatkov o obdavčevanju dohodka od prihrankov", "Konvencije med Kraljevino Nizozemsko glede Arube in (Belgijo, Avstrijo in Luksemburgom) o avtomatični izmenjavi podatkov o obdavčenju dohodka od prihrankov", ki so rezultat pogajanj z Nizozemskimi Antili in Arubo o Sporazumu o obdavčevanju prihrankov in so bila kot Priloga I, II, III in IV priložena izidom posvetovanja Skupine na visoki ravni Sveta ministrov Evropske unije z dne 12. marca (Dok. 7660/04 FISC 68). V čast mi je, da vam v zvezi z zgoraj omenjenimi besedili lahko predložim "Konvencijo o avtomatični izmenjavi podatkov o obdavčevanju dohodka od prihrankov v obliki plačil obresti", kot je navedena v Dodatku 1 tega pisma, in predlagam, da se obe strani zavežeta čimprej opraviti formalnosti, predvidene v njunih ustavah, za začetek veljavnosti te konvencije ter o zaključku teh formalnosti druga drugo nemudoma obvestita. V pričakovanju zaključka teh notranjih postopkov in začetka veljavnosti "Konvencije o avtomatični izmenjavi podatkov o obdavčevanju dohodka od prihrankov v obliki plačil obresti" predlagam, da Republika Slovenija in Kraljevina Nizozemska glede Arube to konvencijo začasno uporabljata od 1. januarja 2005 ali datuma začetka uporabe Direktive Sveta 2003/48/ES z dne 3. junija 2003 o obdavčevanju dohodka od prihrankov v obliki plačil obresti, katerikoli je kasnejši. Če se vaša vlada z navedenim strinja, predlagam, da to pismo in vaš odgovor nanj skupaj tvorita sporazum med Republiko Slovenijo in Kraljevino Nizozemsko glede Arube. Prosim, sprejmite izraze našega najglobljega spoštovanja. Za Republiko Slovenijo Dušan Mramor l.r. V Ljubljani, dne 4. junija 2004 v treh izvodih. B. Pismo Arube Spoštovani! V čast mi je potrditi prejem vašega današnjega pisma, v katerem je zapisano: "Spoštovani! V čast mi je, da se sklicujem na besedila "Konvencije med Kraljevino Nizozemsko glede Nizozemske Antilov in (Belgijo, Avstrijo in Luksemburgom) o avtomatični izmenjavi podatkov o obdavčevanju dohodka od prihrankov v obliki plačil obresti", "Konvencije med Kraljevino Nizozemsko glede Nizozemskih Antilov in (državo članico EU, ki ni Belgija, Avstrija in Luksemburg) o avtomatični izmenjavi podatkov o obdavčevanju dohodka od prihrankov v obliki plačil obresti", "Konvencije med Kraljevino Nizozemsko glede Arube in (državo članico EU, ki ni Belgija, Avstrija in Luksemburg) o avtomatični izmenjavi podatkov o obdavčevanju dohodka od prihrankov v obliki plačil obresti" in "Konvencije med Kraljevino Nizozemsko za Arubo in (Belgijo, Avstrijo in Luksemburgom) o avtomatični izmenjavi podatkov o obdavčevanju dohodka od prihrankov v obliki plačil obresti", ki so rezultat pogajanj z Nizozemskimi Antili in Arubo o Sporazumu o obdavčevanju prihrankov in so bila kot Priloga I, II, III in IV priložena izidom posvetovanja Skupine na visoki ravni Sveta ministrov Evropske unije 12. marca (Dok. 7660/04 FISC 68). V čast mi je, da vam v zvezi z zgoraj omenjenimi besedili lahko predložim "Konvencijo o avtomatični izmenjavi podatkov o obdavčevanju dohodka od prihrankov", kot je naveden v Dodatku 1 tega pisma, in predlagam, da se obe strani zavežeta čimprej opraviti formalnosti, predvidene v njunih ustavah, in za začetek veljavnosti te konvencije ter o zaključku teh formalnosti druga drugo nemudoma obvestita. V pričakovanju zaključka teh notranjih postopkov in začetka veljavnosti "Konvencije o avtomatični izmenjavi podatkov o obdavčevanju dohodka od prihrankov v obliki plačil obresti" predlagam, da Republika Slovenija in Kraljevina Nizozemska glede Arube to konvencijo začasno uporabljata od 1. januarja 2005 ali datuma začetka uporabe Direktive Sveta 2003/48/ES z dne 3. junija 2003 o obdavčevanju dohodka od prihrankov v obliki plačil obresti, katerikoli je kasnejši. Če se vaša vlada z navedenim strinja, predlagam, da to pismo in vaš odgovor nanj skupaj tvorita sporazum med Republiko Slovenijo in Kraljevino Nizozemsko glede Arube. Prosim, sprejmite izraze našega najglobljega spoštovanja." Potrdim lahko, da se Aruba strinja z vsebino vašega pisma. Prosim, sprejmite izraze mojega najglobljega spoštovanja. Za Arubo A.A. Tromp-Yarzagaray l.r. V Haagu, dne 9. novembra 2004 v treh izvodih. Dodatek 1 OD PRIHRANKOV V OBLIKI PLAČIL OBRESTI Vlada Kraljevine Nizozemske v zvezi z Arubo in Republike Slovenije sta se v želji, da bi sklenili Konvencijo o učinkovitem obdavčevanju dohodka od prihrankov v obliki plačil obresti, plačanih v eni državi pogodbenici upravičenim lastnikom, ki so posamezniki, rezidenti druge države pogodbenice, v skladu z zakonodajo države pogodbenice, katere rezidenti so, in skladno z Direktivo 2003/48/ES Sveta Evropske unije z dne 3. junija 2003 o obdavčevanju dohodka od prihrankov v obliki plačil obresti, sporazumeli kot sledi: 1. Ta konvencija se uporablja za obresti, ki jih plača plačilni zastopnik, ustanovljen na ozemlju ene od držav pogodbenic, kar naj bi omogočilo učinkovito obdavčevanje dohodka od prihrankov v obliki plačil obresti v drugi državi pogodbenici upravičenim lastnikom, ki so posamezniki, za davčne namene rezidenti druge države članice, v skladu z zakonodajo države pogodbenice, katere rezidenti so. 2. Področje uporabe te konvencije je treba omejiti na obdavčevanje dohodka od prihrankov v obliki plačil obresti na dolžniške terjatve, pri čemer so med drugim izključena vprašanja v zvezi z obdavčevanjem pokojninskih prejemkov in prejemkov iz zavarovanja. 3. Glede Kraljevine Nizozemske se ta sporazum uporablja samo za Arubo. 1. Za namene te konvencije, razen če sobesedilo ne zahteva drugače: a) izraza "država pogodbenica" in "druga država pogodbenica" pomenita Kraljevino Nizozemsko v zvezi z Arubo ali Republiko Slovenijo, kot zahteva sobesedilo; b) izraz "Aruba" pomeni: del Kraljevine Nizozemske, ki leži na Karibskem območju in sestoji iz otoka Aruba; c) "Pogodbenica", država članica Evropske unije, pomeni: Republiko Slovenijo; d) izraz "Direktiva" pomeni Direktivo 2003/48/ES Sveta Evropske unije z dne 3. junija 2003 o obdavčevanju dohodka od prihrankov v obliki plačil, kot se uporablja na dan podpisa te konvencije; e) izraz "upravičeni lastnik" pomeni upravičenega lastnika skladno s členom 2 Direktive; f) izraz "plačilni zastopnik" pomeni plačilnega zastopnika skladno s členom 4 Direktive; g) izraz "pristojni organ" pomeni: i) v primeru Arube: ministra za finance ali njegovega pooblaščenega predstavnika; ii) v primeru Republike Slovenije: pristojni organ te države skladno s členom 5 Direktive. h) izraz "plačilo obresti" pomeni plačilo obresti skladno s členom 6 Direktive, pri čemer se ustrezno upošteva člen 15 Direktive; i) katerikoli izraz, ki v tej konvenciji ni drugače opredeljen, ima pomen, kot ga ima po Direktivi. 2. Za namene te konvencije v določbah Direktive, na katero se ta konvencija sklicuje, izraz "države članice" pomeni: države pogodbenice. Vsaka država pogodbenica na svojem ozemlju sprejme in zagotovi uporabo potrebnih postopkov, ki plačilnemu zastopniku omogočajo identificirati upravičene lastnike in njihovo rezidentstvo za namene člena 4. Ti postopki so v skladu z minimalnimi standardi, določenimi v odstavkih 2 in 3 člena 3 Direktive, s tem, da se za Arubo v zvezi s pododstavkoma 2(a) in 3(a) tega člena, identiteta in rezidentstvo upravičenega lastnika ugotavljata iz podatkov, ki jih ima na voljo plačilni zastopnik na podlagi uporabe ustreznih določb zakonov in drugih predpisov Arube. 1. Pristojni organ države pogodbenice, v kateri je plačilni zastopnik ustanovljen, sporoči podatke iz člena 8 Direktive pristojnemu organu druge države pogodbenice, katere rezident je upravičeni lastnik. 2. Sporočanje podatkov je avtomatično in se opravi vsaj enkrat letno v šestih mesecih po koncu davčnega leta države pogodbenice plačilnega zastopnika, za vsa plačila obresti v tem letu. 3. Za izmenjavo podatkov po tej konvenciji države pogodbenice uporabljajo določbe člena 7 Direktive 77/799/EGS. Države pogodbenice do 1. januarja 2005 sprejmejo in objavijo zakone in druge predpise, potrebne za uskladitev s to konvencijo. Besedili Direktive in člena 7 Direktive 77/799/EGS Sveta Evropske unije z dne 19. decembra 1977 o vzajemni pomoči pristojnih organov držav članic na področju neposrednega in posrednega obdavčevanja, kot se uporabljata na dan podpisa te konvencije in na kateri se ta konvencija sklicuje, sta dodani kot priloga k tej konvenciji in sta njen sestavni del. Besedilo člena 7 Direktive 77/799/EGS v tej prilogi se nadomesti z besedilom navedenega člena v popravljeni Direktivi 77/799/EGS, če ta popravljena direktiva začne veljati pred dnevom začetka veljavnosti določb te konvencije. Ta konvencija začne veljati trideseti dan od zadnjega od datumov, na katerega sta vladi pisno obvestili druga drugo, da so izpolnjene njune ustavne zahteve in njene določbe veljajo z dnem, ko se začne uporabljati Direktiva v skladu z odstavkoma 2 in 3 člena 17 Direktive. Ta konvencija velja, dokler je ne odpove ena od držav pogodbenic. Vsaka država lahko odpove konvencijo po diplomatski poti z obvestilom o odpovedi najmanj šest mesecev pred koncem katerega koli koledarskega leta, ki sledi obdobju treh let od datuma začetka veljavnosti te konvencije. V takem primeru Konvencija preneha veljati za obdobja, ki sledijo zaključku koledarskega leta, v katerem je bilo dano obvestilo o odpovedi. Sestavljeno v slovenskem, angleškem jeziku in nizozemskem jeziku, pri čemer so vsa besedila enako verodostojna. V primeru kakršnega koli razhajanja v razlagi med jezikovnimi različicami besedil, prevlada angleško besedilo. Za Republiko Slovenijo Dušan Mramor l.r. Za Kraljevino Nizozemsko glede Arube A.A. Tromp-Yarzagaray l.r. PRILOGA 1. Vse informacije, s katerimi se seznani država članica v skladu s to direktivo, se v navedeni državi hranijo kot zaupne na enak način kot informacije, prejete v skladu z njeno nacionalno zakonodajo. V vsakem primeru se take informacije: – lahko dajo na razpolago le osebam, ki se neposredno ukvarjajo z odmero davka ali upravnim nadzorom te odmere, – lahko sporočijo samo v povezavi s sodnimi postopki ali upravnimi postopki, ki vključujejo sankcije, uvedene zaradi ali v zvezi z izdelavo ali revizijo davčne odmere, in samo osebam, ki so neposredno vpletene v take postopke; take informacije pa se lahko razkrijejo med javnimi zaslišanji ali v sodbah, če pristojni organ države članice, ki daje informacijo, ob prvi predložitvi te informacije ne ugovarja, – v nobenem primeru ne smejo uporabiti za druge namene kot za namene obdavčevanja ali v povezavi s sodnimi postopki ali upravnimi postopki, ki vključujejo sankcije, uvedene zaradi ali v zvezi z izdelavo ali revizijo davčne odmere. Poleg tega države članice lahko določijo, da se informacije iz prvega pododstavka uporabijo za odmero drugih prelevmanov, dajatev in davkov, zajetih v členu 2 Direktive 76/308/EGS. 2. Odstavek 1 ne obvezuje države članice, katere zakonodaja ali upravna praksa določa za domače namene ožje omejitve, kot jih vsebujejo določbe tega odstavka, da zagotovi informacije, če zadevna država ne upošteva teh ožjih omejitev. 3. Ne glede na odstavek 1 lahko pristojni organi države članice, ki zagotovi informacije, dovolijo, da se v državi prosilki uporabijo za druge namene, če bi bile lahko po zakonodaji države, ki je informacije posredovala, te v podobnih okoliščinah uporabljene za podobne namene v državi, ki jih je posredovala. 4. Če pristojni organ države članice meni, da so informacije, ki jih je prejel od pristojnega organa druge države članice, verjetno uporabne za pristojni organ tretje države članice, jih lahko posreduje temu pristojnemu organu s soglasjem pristojnega organa, ki je informacije posredoval. A. Letter from the Republic of Slovenia Sir, I have the honour to refer to the texts of respectively the "Convention between the Kingdom of the Netherlands in respect of the Netherlands Antilles and (Belgium, Austria and Luxembourg) concerning the automatic exchange of information regarding savings income in the form of interest payments", the "Convention between the Kingdom of the Netherlands in respect of the Netherlands Antilles and (the EU Member State, other than Belgium, Austria and Luxembourg) concerning the automatic exchange of information regarding savings income in the form of interest payments", the "Convention between the Kingdom of the Netherlands in respect of Aruba and (the EU Member State, other than Belgium, Austria and Luxembourg) concerning the automatic exchange of information regarding savings income in the form of interest payments" and the "Convention between the Kingdom of the Netherlands in respect of Aruba and (Belgium, Austria and Luxembourg) concerning the automatic exchange of information regarding savings income in the form of interest payments", that resulted from the negotiations with the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba on a Savings Tax Agreement, and that were annexed, respectively as Annex I, II, III and IV, to the Outcome of Proceedings of the High Level Working Party of the Council of Ministers of the European Union of 12 March (doc. 7660/04 FISC 68). In view of the above mentioned texts I have the honour to propose to you the "Convention concerning the automatic exchange of information regarding savings income in the form of interest payments" as contained in Appendix 1 to this letter, and our mutual undertaking to comply at the earliest possible date with our internal constitutional formalities for the entry into force of this Convention and to notify each other without delay when such formalities are completed. Pending the completion of these internal procedures and the entry into force of this "Convention concerning the automatic exchange of information regarding savings income in the form of interest payments", I have the honour to propose to you that the Republic of Slovenia and the Kingdom of the Netherlands in respect of Aruba apply this Convention provisionally, within the framework of our respective domestic constitutional requirements, as from 1 January 2005, or the date of application of Council Directive 2003/48/EC of 3 June 2003 on taxation of savings income in the form of interest payments, whichever is later. I have the honour to propose that, if the above is acceptable to your Government, this letter and your confirmation shall together constitute an Agreement between the Republic of Slovenia and the Kingdom of the Netherlands in respect of Aruba. Please accept, Sir, the assurance of our highest consideration, For the Republic of Slovenia Dušan Mramor (s) Done at Ljubljana, on 4 June 2004, in three copies. B. Letter from Aruba Sir, I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of today's date, which reads as follows: "Sir, I have the honour to refer to the texts of respectively the "Convention between the Kingdom of the Netherlands in respect of the Netherlands Antilles and (Belgium, Austria and Luxembourg) concerning the automatic exchange of information regarding savings income in the form of interest payments", the “Convention between the Kingdom of the Netherlands in respect of the Netherlands Antilles and (the EU Member State, other than Belgium, Austria and Luxembourg) concerning the automatic exchange of information regarding savings income in the form of interest payments“, the “Convention between the Kingdom of the Netherlands in respect of Aruba and (the EU Member State, other than Belgium, Austria and Luxembourg) concerning the automatic exchange of information regarding savings income in the form of interest payments “ and the " Convention between the Kingdom of the Netherlands in respect of Aruba and (Belgium, Austria and Luxembourg) concerning the automatic exchange of information regarding savings income in the form of interest payments", that resulted from the negotiations with the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba on a Savings Tax Agreement, and that were annexed, respectively as Annex I, II, III and IV, to the Outcome of Proceedings of the High Level Working Party of the Council of Ministers of the European Union of 12 March (doc. 7660/04 FISC 68). In view of the above mentioned texts I have the honour to propose to you the "Convention concerning the automatic exchange of information regarding savings income in the form of interest payments" as contained in Appendix 1 to this letter, and our mutual undertaking to comply at the earliest possible date with our internal constitutional formalities for the entry into force of this Convention and to notify each other without delay when such formalities are completed. Pending the completion of these internal procedures and the entry into force of this "Convention concerning the automatic exchange of information regarding savings income in the form of interest payments", I have the honour to propose to you that the Republic of Slovenia and the Kingdom of the Netherlands in respect of Aruba apply this Convention provisionally, within the framework of our respective domestic constitutional requirements, as from 1 January 2005, or the date of application of Council Directive 2003/48/EC of 3 June 2003 on taxation of savings income in the form of interest payments, whichever is later. I have the honour to propose that, if the above is acceptable to your Government, this letter and your confirmation shall together constitute an Agreement between the Republic of Slovenia and the Kingdom of the Netherlands in respect of Aruba. Please accept, Sir, the assurance of our highest consideration," I am able to confirm that Aruba is in agreement with the contents of your letter. Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration, For Aruba A.A. Tromp-Yarzagaray (s) Done at The Hague, on 9 November 2004, in three copies. Appendix 1 The Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in respect of Aruba and the Republic of Slovenia, desiring to conclude a Convention which enables savings income in the form of interest payments made in one of the Contracting States to beneficial owners who are individuals resident in the other Contracting State, to be made subject to effective taxation in accordance with the laws of the latter Contracting State, in conformity with Directive 2003/48/EC of the Council of the European Union of 3 June 2003 on taxation of savings income in the form of interest payments, have agreed as follows: 1. This Convention shall apply to interest paid by a paying agent established within the territory of one of the Contracting States with a view to enable savings income in the form of interest payments made in one Contracting State to beneficial owners who are individuals resident for tax purposes in the other Contracting State to be made subject to effective taxation in accordance with the laws of the latter Contracting State 2. The scope of this Convention shall be limited to taxation of savings income in the form of interest payments on debt claims, to the exclusion, inter alia, of the issues relating to the taxation of pension and insurance benefits. 3. As regards the Kingdom of the Netherlands, this Agreement shall apply only to Aruba. 1. For the purposes of this Convention, unless the context otherwise requires: a) the term “a Contracting State” and “the other Contracting State” mean the Kingdom of the Netherlands in respect of Aruba or the Republic of Slovenia as the context requires; b) the term “Aruba” means: that part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands that is situated in the Caribbean area and consisting of the Island Aruba; c) The "contracting party" being a Member State of the European Union means: the Republic of Slovenia; d) the term “Directive” means Directive 2003/48/EC of the Council of the European Union of 3 June 2003 on taxation of savings income in the form of interest payments, as applicable at the date of signing this Convention; e) the term “beneficial owner” means the beneficial owner according to Article 2 of the Directive; f) the term “paying agent” means the paying agent according to Article 4 of the Directive; g) the term “competent authority” means: i) In the case of Aruba: "The Minister of Finance or his authorised representative". ii) In the case of the Republic of Slovenia: the competent authority of that State according to Article 5 of the Directive. h) the term “interest payment” means the interest payment according to article 6, due account being taken of Article 15, of the Directive; i) any term not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning given to it in the Directive. 2. For the purposes of this Convention, in the provisions of the Directive to which this Convention refers, instead of “Member States” has to be read: Contracting States. Each Contracting State shall, within its territory, adopt and ensure the application of the procedures necessary to allow the paying agent to identify the beneficial owners and their residence for the purpose of Article 4. These procedures shall comply with the minimum standards established in Article 3, paragraph 2 and 3 of the Directive, with the provision that in regard to Aruba, in relation to subparagraphs 2.a) and 3.a) of that Article, the identity and residence of the Beneficial Owner shall be established on the basis of the information which is available to the Paying Agent by virtue of the application of the relevant provisions of Aruban law and regulations. 1. The competent authority of the Contracting State where the paying agent is established, shall communicate the information referred to in Article 8 of the Directive to the competent authority of the other Contracting State of residence of the beneficial owner. 2. The communication of information shall be automatic and shall take place at least once a year, within six months following the end of the tax year of the Contracting State of the paying agent, for all interest payments made during that year. 3. Information exchange under this Convention shall be treated by the Contracting States in a manner consistent with the provisions as set out in Article 7 of Directive 77/799/EEC. Before 1 January 2005 the Contracting States shall adopt and publish the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Convention. The texts of the Directive and of Article 7 of Directive 77/799/EEC of the Council of the European Union of 19 December, 1977 concerning mutual assistance by the competent authorities of the Member States in the field of direct and indirect taxation, as applicable at the date of signing this Convention and to which this Convention refers, are appended as an Annex to, and form an integral part of, this Convention. The text of Article 7 of Directive 77/799/EEC in this annex shall be replaced by the text of the said Article in the revised Directive 77/799/EEC if this revised Directive enters into force before the date from which the provisions of this Convention shall take effect. This Convention shall enter into force on the thirtieth day after the latter of the dates on which the respective Governments have notified each other in writing that the formalities constitutionally required in their respective States have been complied with, and its provisions shall have effect from the date from which the Directive is applicable according to Article 17, paragraph 2 and 3, of the Directive. This Convention shall remain in force until terminated by one of the Contracting States. Either State may terminate the Convention, through diplomatic channels, by giving notice of termination at least six months before the end of any calendar year after the expiration of a period of three years from the date of its entry into force. In such event the Convention shall cease to have effect for periods beginning after the end of the calendar year in which the notice of termination has been given. Done in the Slovenian, English and Dutch languages all texts being equally authentic. In case there is any divergence of interpretation between the different language versions of the texts, the English text shall prevail. For the Republic of Slovenia Dušan Mramor (s) For the Kingdom of the Netherlands in respect of Aruba A.A. Tromp-Yarzagaray (s) ANNEX 1. All information made known to a Member State under this Directive shall be kept secret in that State in the same manner as information received under its national legislation. In any case, such information: – may be made available only to the persons directly involved in the assessment of the tax or in the administrative control of this assessment, – may be made known only in connection with judicial proceedings or administrative proceedings involving sanctions undertaken with a view to, or relating to, the making or reviewing the tax assessment and only to persons who are directly involved in such proceedings; such information may, however, be disclosed during public hearings or in judgements if the competent authority of the Member State supplying the information raises no objection at the time when it first supplies the information, – shall in no circumstances be used other than for taxation purposes or in connection with judicial proceedings or administrative proceedings involving sanctions undertaken with a view to, or in relation to, the making or reviewing of the tax assessment. In addition, Member States may provide for the information referred to in the first subparagraph to be used for assessment of other levies, duties and taxes covered by Article 2 of Directive 76/308/EEC. 2. Paragraph 1 shall not oblige a Member State whose legislation or administrative practice lays down, for domestic purposes, narrower limits than those contained in the provisions of that paragraph, to provide information if the State concerned does not undertake to respect those narrower limits. 3. Notwithstanding paragraph 1, the competent authorities of the Member State providing the information may permit it to be used for other purposes in the requesting State, if, under the legislation of the informing State, the information could, in similar circumstances, be used in the informing State for similar purposes. 4. Where a competent authority of a Member State considers that information which it has received from the competent authority of another Member State is likely to be useful to the competent authority of a third Member State, it may transmit it to the latter competent authority with the agreement of the competent authority which supplied the information.