1.   The requesting authority shall send a consultation notice to the requested authority as soon as possible after receipt of a notification by the proposed acquirer in accordance with Article 10(3) of Directive 2004/39/EC and not later than 20 working days after receipt of such notification.

2.   The requesting authority shall send the consultation notice referred to in paragraph 1 in writing by post, facsimile or secure electronic means, and address it to the designated contact person of the requested authority unless otherwise specified by the requested authority in its reply to the preliminary notice referred to in Article 3.

3.   The requesting authority shall send the consultation notice referred to in paragraph 1 by completing the template set out in Annex II, identifying in particular issues relating to the confidentiality of information that may be obtained by the requesting authority, and specifying details of the relevant information that the requesting authority asks from the requested authority.