22. 11. 95 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 275/11 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COUNCIL COUNCIL DECISION of 23 October 1995 concerning the conclusion of an Agreement between the European Community and the United States of America establishing a cooperation programme in higher education and vocational education and training (95/487/EC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Articles 126 and 127, in conjunction with Article 228 (2) first sentence and (3) first subparagraph thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the European Parlia- ment ('), Whereas by its Decision of 21 November 1994 the Council authorized the Commission to negotiate agree- ments for cooperation in higher education and vocational training between the European Community, Canada and the United States of America; Whereas the Community and the United States of America expect to obtain mutual benefit from such cooperation, which must, on the Community’s side, be complementary to the bilateral programmes between the Member States and the United States of America and provide a European added value; Whereas the Agreement between the European Com- munity and the United States of America establishing a cooperation programme in higher education and voca- tional education and training should be approved, (') OJ No C 287, 30. 10. 1955. HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: Article 1 The Agreement between the European Community and the United States of America establishing a cooperation programme in higher education and vocational education and training is hereby approved on behalf of the Com- munity. The text of the Agreement is attached to this Decision. Article 2 The financial reference amount to fulfil the Community’s financial obligations mentioned in Article 7 of the Agree- ment shall be ECU 6,5 million for the five-year period provided for in Article 11 (2) thereof. The annual appropriations shall be authorized by the budget authority within the limit of the financial perspec- tive. The scholarships provided in accordance with Article 4 (3) of the Agreement shall be independent of the national Fulbright scholarships granted by the United States/ Member States bilateral commissions. Article 3 The delegation of the European Community to the Joint Committee referred to in Article 5 of the Agreement shall consist of a representative from the Commission assisted by a representative from each Member State.