L 112/12 Official Journal of the European Union 3.5.2005 II (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COUNCIL COUNCIL DECISION of 22 December 2004 on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Community and the Principality of Liechtenstein providing for measures equivalent to those laid down in Council Directive 2003/48/EC on taxation of savings income in the form of interest payments (2005/353[EC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 94 in conjunction with the first subparagraph of paragraph 2, the first subparagraph of paragraph 3 and paragraph 4 of Article 300 thereof, Having regard to the proposal of the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (%), Whereas: (1) On 16 October 2001 the Council authorised the Commission to negotiate with the Principality of Liech- tenstein an appropriate agreement for securing the adoption by the Principality of measures equivalent to those to be applied within the Community to ensure (5) effective taxation of savings income in the form of interest payments. (2)  The text of the Agreement, which is the result of the negotiations, duly reflects the negotiating directives issued by the Council. It is accompanied by a Memorandum of Understanding between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Principality of Liechtenstein of the other part, the text of which is attached to Council Decision 2004/897(EC of 29 November 2004 (3). The application of the provisions of Directive 2003/48EC (%) depends on the application by the Princi- pality of Liechtenstein of measures equivalent to those contained in that Directive, in accordance with an agreement concluded by the Principality of Liechtenstein with the European Community. In accordance with Decision 2004/897/EC, and subject to the adoption at a later date of a Decision on the conclusion of the Agreement, the Agreement was signed on behalf of the European Community on 7 December 2004. The Agreement should be approved. It is necessary to provide for a simple and rapid procedure for possible adaptations of Annexes I and II to the Agreement, () O] L 379, 24.12.2004, p. 83. (!) Opinion of 17 November 2004 (not yet published in the Official (®) OJ L 157, 26.6.2003, p. 38. Directive as last amended by Directive Journal). 2004/66[EC (O] L 168, 1.5.2004, p. 35).