1. Statistics’ role
A correct decision can not exist without information; and statistics represents the core of information.
If one does not know the past as well as the state of art reached in the evolution of the processes and phenomena – one does not know what to be done. One does not have the perspective of the correct prediction.
Statistics does not interpret the phenomena – but offers the basis for interpretation.

2. Statistics’ role
The National Statistical Institute is a service provider, it is an opened institution and is preparing a product for its clients:
Private sector;
State sector, etc…

3. Statistics’ role
Statistics – tool among the concerns of the international organisations such as (UNO and its specialised agencies, regional bodies – such as Economic Commission for Europe);
Statistics – placed among the major priorities of the European Union. Eurostat is supporting a tremendous process of harmonisation of the statistical instruments – so that to transform them into basic elements to set up joint European policies;

4. Statistics’ role
For the candidate countries, there is a common element: chapter on statistics, provisionally closed;
The stable role of statistics that we should not so much negotiate about, but we should negotiate with statistics – There is quite a difference !!!

5. Where are we starting from
Where are we starting from? - summary of the state of art reached by Romanian official statistics -
Negotiating chapter 12: STATISTICS opened and closed – acknowledgement of the level of development;
Statistics – able to promptly answer to the date requests on the internal and international level;
Relations of high intensity and good results with Eurostat
Significant Phare programmes to support the harmonisation of Romanian statistics to the European standards;
The good appreciation of Eurostat: “the situation of Romanian statistical system is positive and well done”.

6. Romanian statistics is able to turn into account the generously offered support:
Eurostat and by it the entire family of the European statisticians working in the statistical offices of Member States;
INSEE / France;
Federal Statistical Office of Germany;
INE / Portugal;
ISTAT / Italy;
Statistical Office of Netherlands;
Cooperation with NSIs of CCs: INS Bulgaria, GUS / Poland …
Agreements of co-operation signed with: the Macedonian Statistical Office, Federal Statistical Office of the Federal Rep. Of Yugoslavia, State Department for Statistics of Moldova.

7. Statistics’ challenges
Balance between quantity – timeliness – quality;
Collection – processing – dissemination;
Statistical surveys – registers – administrative sources;
National statistics – regional statistics – international statistics;
Compatibility – harmonisation – integration.