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1. The best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration for the competent authorities when applying this Regulation.

2. The determining authority shall assess the best interests of the child in accordance with Article 26 of Directive (EU) 2024/1346.

3. The determining authority shall give a minor the opportunity of a personal interview, including where an application is made on his or her own behalf in accordance with Article 32 and Article 33(1), unless this is not in the best interests of the child. In that case, the determining authority shall give reasons for the decision not to give a minor the opportunity of a personal interview. The personal interview of a minor shall be conducted by a person who has the necessary knowledge of the rights and special needs of minors. It shall be conducted in a child-sensitive and context-appropriate manner, taking into consideration the age and maturity of the child.

4. Where a minor is accompanied, the personal interview shall be conducted in the presence of an adult responsible for him or her whether by the law or practice of the Member State concerned and, where one has been appointed, of a legal adviser. Member States may also, where necessary and when it is in the best interests of the child, conduct the personal interview with that minor in the presence of a person with necessary skills and expertise. On justified grounds and only where it is in the best interests of the child, the determining authority may interview the minor without the presence of an adult responsible, provided that it ensures that the minor is assisted during the interview by a person with necessary skills and expertise in order to safeguard his or her best interests.

5. The decision on the application of a minor shall be prepared by the relevant staff of the determining authority. Those relevant staff shall have the necessary knowledge and have received the appropriate training on the rights and special needs of minors.