11.11.2004 Official Journal of the European Union L 335/5 I (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COUNCIL COUNCIL DECISION of 4 October 2004 concerning the conclusion of an Agreement renewing the Agreement for scientific and techno- logical cooperation between the European Community and the Government of the United States of America (2004/756/EC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular the second paragraph of Article 170, in conjunction with the first sentence of the first subparagraph of Article 300(2), and the first subparagraph of Article 300(3), Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (1), Whereas: (1) By its Decision of 13 October 1998 (3), the Council approved the conclusion of the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and the Government of the United States of America. (2)  Article 12(b) of the Agreement provides as follows: ‘This Agreement is concluded for an initial period ending of five years. Subject to review by the Parties in the final year of each successive period, the Agreement may be extended with possible amendments, thereafter for additional periods of five years by mutual written agreement by the Parties’. (3)  The authorities of the United States of America have informed the services of the Commission that they would favour the renewal of the abovementioned Agreement for five more years. Rapid renewal would therefore be in the best interests of both parties. (4)  The material content of the renewed Agreement will be identical to the material content of the Agreement, which expired on 13 October 2003. (5)  The Agreement renewing the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and the Government of the United States of America should be approved on behalf of the Community, (") Opinion delivered on 16 December 2003 (not yet published in the Official Journal). () OJ L 284, 22.10.1998, p. 35.