1. Each Member State shall be responsible for organising the procedures relating to applications.
2.
Member States shall:
(a)
equip their consulates and authorities responsible for issuing visas at the borders with the requisite material for the collection of biometric identifiers, as well as the offices of their honorary consuls, where they make use of them, to collect biometric identifiers in accordance with Article 42;
(b)
cooperate with one or more other Member States under representation arrangements or any other form of consular cooperation.
3. A Member State may also cooperate with an external service provider in accordance with Article 43.
4. Member States shall notify to the Commission their consular organisation and cooperation in each consular location.
5. In the event of termination of cooperation with other Member States, Member States shall strive to assure the continuity of full service.