Article 3 — Horizontal technical assistance

1. The Agency shall assist the Commission: (a) in monitoring the effective implementation of relevant binding Union legal acts falling under the objectives of the Agency, in particular by carrying out visits and inspections as referred to in Article 10; (b) in the preparatory work for updating and developing relevant Union legal acts falling under the objectives of the Agency, in particular in accordance with the development of relevant international law; (c) in the performance of any other task assigned to the Commission in Union legislative acts falling under the objectives of the Agency. For the purposes of the first subparagraph, point (a), the Agency may suggest improvements to the Commission. 2. The Agency shall cooperate with the Member States to: (a) organise, where appropriate, relevant capacity-building and training activities in fields which fall under the objectives of the Agency and are the responsibility of the Member States; (b) develop technical solutions, including the provision of relevant operational services, and provide technical assistance in order to build up the necessary national capacity for the implementation of Union legal acts falling under the objectives of the Agency. For the purposes of the first subparagraph, point (a), of this paragraph, the Agency shall establish appropriate capabilities with the aim of developing, implementing and coordinating training activities related to the objectives of the Agency. The training activities provided shall be developed in close consultation with the Member States and the Commission, and approved by the Management Board in accordance with Article 17 of this Regulation, while fully respecting Article 166 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). 3. The Agency shall promote and facilitate cooperation between Member States and between Member States and the Commission in the implementation of the Union legal acts by promoting the exchange and dissemination of experiences and good practices. 4. The Agency shall contribute, at the Commission’s request, or on its own initiative, subject to prior approval of the Management Board in accordance with Article 17, to maritime research activities at the Union level when needed to fulfil the objectives of the Agency. In that regard, the Agency shall assist the Commission and the Member States in identifying key research themes, without prejudice to other research activities at Union level, and in analysing ongoing and completed research projects relevant to the objectives of the Agency. Where appropriate, subject to the applicable rules on intellectual property and security considerations, the Agency shall disseminate the results of its research and innovation activities, following approval by the Commission, as part of its contribution to creating synergies between the research and innovation activities of other Union bodies and the Member States. 5. Where required for the implementation of its tasks, the Agency may undertake studies, involving the Commission and where applicable, through consultation of steering groups, the Member States, and, where appropriate, the social partners and industry representatives with expertise in the relevant topics. 6. On the basis of research and studies conducted by the Agency and of experience gained through its own activities, in particular the visits and inspections, and exchange of information and good practices with the Member States and the Commission, the Agency may provide, in agreement with the Commission and the Management Board, relevant non-binding recommendations, guidance or manuals to support Member States, and where appropriate the industry, in the implementation of relevant Union legal acts.