L 300/52 Official Journal of the European Union 25.9.2004 (Acts adopted under Title V of the Treaty on European Union) COUNCIL DECISION 2004/658/CFSP of 13 September 2004 on the financial provisions applicable to the general budget of the European Defence Agency THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to Council Joint Action 2004/551/CFSP of 12 July 2004 on the establishment of a European Defence Agency and in particular Article 18(1) thereof (), Whereas: (1)  Joint Action 2004/551/CFSP provides that the financial provisions applicable to the general budget shall be approved by the Council, acting by unanimity. The Steering Board shall, within one year of the adoption of that Joint Action review and amend these provisions, as necessary. (2)  The Steering Board, when reviewing these provisions, should respect the provisions of Directive 2004/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 March 2004 on the coordination of procedures for the award of public works contracts, public supply contracts and public service contracts (3, and should also address the issue of contracts to be concluded by the Agency in the fields where Directive 2004/18/EC does not apply and where a Member State may take national measures under Article 296 TEC. (3)  Joint Action 2004/551/CFSP furthermore provides that the Steering Board, acting on a proposal from the Chief Executive, shall as necessary adopt the implementing rules regarding the implementation and control of the general budget, notably as regards public procurement, without prejudice to relevant Community rules. The Steering Board shall ensure, in particular, that security of supply and protection both of defence secret and intellectual property rights requirements are taken into account in a proper manner. () O] L 245, 17.7.2004, p. 17. () O] L 134, 30.4.2004, p. 114. (4)  The financial provisions and rules referred to in the Annex are not applicable to ad hoc projects and programmes as referred to in Articles 20 and 21 of Joint Action 2004/551/CFSP. The Steering Board should endeavour to establish provisions and rules for ad hoc projects and programmes. (5)  The European Defence Agency’s initial general budget for 2004 is focused on start- up arrangements and financial provisions should be provided without delay to allow for its smooth implementation, HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: Article 1 The financial provisions applicable to the implementation and control of the European Defence Agency’s general budget are laid down in the Annex to this Decision. These financial provisions shall be in force from 13 September 2004 until they are reviewed, amended or confirmed in accordance with Article 18(1) of Joint Action 2004/551/CFSP, or until 31 December 2005, whichever is the eatlier. Atrticle 2 This Decision shall take effect on the day of its adoption. Atrticle 3 This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union. Dorne at Brussels, 13 September 2004. For the Council The President B. R. BOT