Agency for Statistics of BiH and National Institute of Statistics of Romania Sign Memorandum of Understanding

The ceremony, held at the Agency's headquarters in Sarajevo, was attended by the Ambassador of Romania to Bosnia and Herzegovina, H.E. Anton Pacuretu, as well as representatives of the entity statistical institutes, Emir Kremić, Director of the Federal Institute for Statistics of FBiH, and representatives of the Institute of Statistics of Republika Srpska.

The Memorandum of Understanding acknowledges the need of both countries for developing cooperation and establishes a framework for the implementation of projects, professional development, and the exchange of best practices and methodologies. The signing of the Memorandum is part of BHAS's broader efforts to enhance the process of producing reliable, internationally comparable statistical data aligned with European standards.

During the working part of the meeting, special attention was given to the exchange of knowledge on the Agricultural Census, whose implementation is one of the priority tasks for our country within the EU Stabilization and Association Process. It was an opportunity for guests from Romania to share their experiences on the importance of building a strong statistical system as a country progresses towards EU membership. Romania's example demonstrates that official statistics played a key role in planning necessary reforms, assessing their impacts, and conducting a general analysis of social changes during the accession process.

The National Institute of Statistics of Romania is one of the oldest in Europe. Founded in 1859 as one of the first public institutions in the country, besides its headquarters in Bucharest, it includes 8 regional and 34 district statistical offices. Its work is based on the strong conviction of one of its founders, the esteemed Romanian economist Dionisie Pop Martian, that statistical data is a national treasure and the only secure foundation upon which every responsible government should base its decisions, policies, and reforms.

Bosnia and Herzegovina and Romania have been nurturing friendly relations for decades. Bilateral cooperation has been achieved in many areas, especially after the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1996. The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with one of the oldest European statistical institutions reaffirms BHAS's commitment to introducing innovations, promoting excellence in statistical practice, and laying the foundations for evidence-based policy-making and sustainable development principles.