Enlarging the EU statistical network : multi-beneficiary programme on statistical co-operation programme secretariat services : Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Turkey

Abstract

The enlargement's political challenges need high quality statistics. This implies a particular effort for developing the national statistical systems of the Candidate Countries for the adoption of the acquis. It also implies an assessment of each. Take 17 European statistical experts, analysing the efforts of 13 different nations to develop systems of national statistics to the European standards. Add the full co-operation of government officials across the nations. Collect all their data and findings.Tabulate hundreds of statistics. Edit about one thousand pages of reports. And you have here a unique book of reference that provides information on the national statistical systems of all the Candidate Countries to the European Union. This publication is a source of reference on the organisation and capacity of the national statistical systems and on the methods with which they produce their statistics.The level of the harmonisation of the statistical systems with the EU requirements is given special emphasis. It is a joint effort of the Member States' statisticians who contributed with their expertise in assessing the systems, the Candidate Countries who were willing to share the information on their daily work and Eurostat staff who monitored the process. It documents the progress made by the Candidate Countries over the last twelve years of intensive co-operation with Eurostat. It is evident that they made a good use of the assistance provided and capable of producing good quality and comparable statistics. The facts presented in the publication prove that, at the threshold of accession, the Candidate Countries are ready to take up the challenge of being active participants in the European statistical system and are able to contribute to its further development.