1 Strategy for Statistical Cooperation in the ENP-East Region High Level Seminar June 2012, Tbilisi, Georgia Session No. 7 Jolanta Szczerbinska, Eurostat

Questions to be answered What is new in the ENP? How the new ENP will work? What does this mean for the ENP-East? What does this mean for statistics? Why a strategy for the ENP region is needed? What is the status of the orientation paper? Why do we need the strategy now? What are the common objectives? Which areas should be covered? What means could be used? 2

What is new in the ENP? Communication from the Commission COM (2011) 303: A new response to a changing neighbourhood Intensifying political and security cooperation Supporting - progress towards 'deep democracy' - sustainable and social development Establishing Mobility Partnerships Strengthening the Eastern Partnership Building a Partnership for Democracy and Shared Prosperity in the southern and Mediterranean regions 3

4 How the new ENP will work Greater emphasis on human rights, democracy and good governance; Application of the “More for more” principle: differentiated approach to better reflect country needs, capacity and performance and to target EU aid where it can have the most impact; Improved EU coordination through joint EU and Member State response strategies and more scope for joint programming.

5 What does this mean for the ENP-East? Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements: key to creating jobs, boosting growth and improving social protection Association Agreements: with the aim of pursuing democratisation and visa liberalisation, enhancing sectoral cooperation, particularly in rural development, and working more with civil society Applies only to willing and able partners

6 What does this mean for statistics? Trade statistics become even more important in both regions Association Agreements: include a chapter on statistics; - provisionally agreed for five ENP-East countries. - Association Agendas to implement the AAs Partnership for Democracy and Shared Prosperity: - institution building → NSI - migration statistics a priority - monitoring implementation → statistics needed

7 Why a strategy for the ENP-East region is needed? TACIS was phased out and other forms of assistance (TAIEX, Twinning, HLS) address only some of the problems in statistics The ENP-East countries have similar background and needs, so a common approach may bring the economies of scale both for the beneficiaries and the donors The experience of the ENP-South countries, that recently developed a common strategy, shows a positive effect of the process – a reflection on priorities and objectives, ways and means of obtaining them, better cooperation and integration among the countries It is easier to lobby for funds for the assistance if the needs and objectives are clearly defined

8 Why do we need the strategy now? The new approach to the ENP countries was developed recently Five out of six ENP-East countries negotiate the AA and DCFTA agreements (Ukraine just concluded the negotiations) The AA chapters are very similar for all the countries The SRC is a common basis for the activities The problems identified during the AGA exercise (AR, AZ, UA) are very similar

9 What is the status of the orientation paper? A first attempt to reflect on the situation in the ENP-East region, needs, similarities, differences, the possible areas of statistical cooperation, the forms and outcomes of such a cooperation The proposal is based on the experience gained in the bilateral cooperation with the ENP-East countries, HLS discussions, requests for assistance received and internal discussions at Eurostat It was amended after discussion with member states in March 2012 The paper is meant as a basis for the development of a fully- fledged strategy for the region to be presented to all interested parties

10 What are the common objectives? Strengthen the role of official statistics Strengthen the management capacity of the NSIs Strengthen the coordinating role of the NSIs Support the adoption of a quality framework Make statistics a better tool for policy makers Reach and maintain the approximation with EU standards and norms

11 Which areas should be covered? Statistical infrastructure Macro-economic and business statistics External trade statistics Transport statistics Energy statistics (INOGATE presentation) Social statistics Agricultural statistics and structural indicators Horizontal issues: dissemination, user orientation, quality

12 Which means could be used? Training courses Workshops and seminars Joint statistical publications Projects targeting specific issues (e.g. quality, dissemination, management, registers, etc.) Technical assistance oriented towards the implementation of the EU standards Data collection

13 What do we do now? In 2012 AGAs are carried out for Belarus, Georgia and Moldova HLS are organised each year Water statistics seminar Eurotrace: Comext compatible software course in Russian INOGATE and SEIS projects Call for Tender for the training courses for the ENP-East countries is under preparation Limited data collection and publication on the region

14 Questions for discussion Are the priorities in statistical cooperation in the region well reflected? Could you share your experience in cooperation that would relevant for the development of the strategy? Thank you for your attention