Feedback from Strategic Seminar on GLOS JUL 2016, Ohrid, FYROM Eurostat

General information about seminar Requested by EU Enlargement countries (OCT 2015) Co-organized by Eurostat & EFTA in JUL 2016 After GLOS's endorsement by Conference of European Statisticians (26APR2016) To examine GLOS & explanatory notes, discuss applicability/adaptations needed for Enlargement countries

General information about seminar (cont'd) Attended by Senior managers & legal experts from AL, AR, AZ, BiH, GE, XK*, MD, MK, ME, RS, UA; experts from GE, HR, NO, UNECE & UNSD GLOS discussed chapter by chapter GE & HR experts presented recent experiences of revising national statistical laws (SL) ENLARG countries compared national SL vs. GLOS * This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on Kosovo's declaration of independence.

Highlights All countries are thinking about implementing GLOS Implementation will take time, but should start GLOS provides strong arguments for negotiations with Governments and Parliaments International Organizations are ready to provide technical support and promote GLOS in countries UN Handbook on the organization of statistical system will be updated to take into account GLOS UNECE's Common Elements for Stat. Legislation to be reviewed

Key conclusions - 1 "Official statistics" to replace state/national statistics. UNFPOS and ESCoP principles are included in different chapters GLOS's Scope is the whole NSS = NSI + Other Producers of Official Stats (OPOS). Not providers of data! Chief statistician coordinates the whole NSS, incl. regional offices No listing of OPOS in Statistical Law, only define criteria Statistical Council = User Council. Excludes producers and is outside NSS. Management Councils/Boards ≠ Statistical Council defined by GLOS

Key conclusions - 2 (Multi)annual programs: main NSS coordination tool Coordination of OPOS is challenging. Benefits of belonging to the NSS should be promoted (e.g. data exchange & methodological support) Coordination requires resources Strong mandate of data collection should help NSI to access administrative data & improve data quality Very high level of confidentiality protection is required for all countries in the region to build/increase trust in official statistics Quality management and improvement are continuous core tasks

Key conclusions - 3 Dissemination policy to be applied across NSS General rule – no pre-releases. Exceptions need to be made public. Statistical services: useful to promote official statistics, but should not hamper implementation of statistical programs Chief statistician / NSI to represent the country internationally Infringements need to be foreseen, but incentives & preventions are more efficient SL shall prevail over other relevant national legislation. If not possible, conflicting laws shall be amended.