Statistics as a Key Element of the EU Accession Process

Representatives of Eurostat, the European Commission, and statistical institutions from the Western Balkans, Turkey, Ukraine, and Moldova were also present. Among the participants was Vesna Ćužić, Director of the Agency for Statistics of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This meeting served as an important platform for exchanging knowledge, best practices, and discussing the challenges statistical institutions face in the enlargement countries during the process of European integration. Strategic issues related to statistics in the context of enlargement were addressed. A representative from DG NEAR reported on the progress of the enlargement countries in the EU accession process. Mr. Jean Pierre Poncelet from Eurostat presented the development of European policies and strategies following the recent European Parliament elections and their impact on statistical practices and the enlargement process.

Discussions covered the latest amendments to EU Regulation 223/2009, which aim to improve access to administrative data sources, enabling faster and more efficient statistical production. The need for implementing this regulation in enlargement countries was emphasized, particularly regarding data access and professional independence. This is crucial for addressing the problem of unconnected databases among various state institutions, a significant challenge in the region.

The meeting also touched on the next round of peer reviews (compliance assessment with the EU Code of Practice) in the enlargement countries, which will be conducted from 2025 to 2027, with implementation in Bosnia and Herzegovina planned for 2026. A new methodology for peer reviews was adopted, encouraging the sharing of best practices among statistical systems and highlighting the importance of coordination among official statistics producers. The final version of the methodology will be delivered in October 2024, and Eurostat will provide information for the commencement of the peer review process by the end of 2024. All countries agreed on the principle that colleagues from other countries could participate in a peer review as observers.

Coordination with other official statistics producers was also discussed during the meeting. Following a presentation by Eurostat, participants reviewed good practices applied in ESS member countries. Bosnia and Herzegovina presented the coordination between the Agency for Statistics of Bosnia and Herzegovina and other official statistics producers, the legislative framework as a basis for cooperation, and the challenges the Agency faces. Several countries presented innovative statistical practices and methodologies in data collection and processing, highlighting the potential of artificial intelligence to enhance statistical results.

The meeting concluded with plans for developing a new statistical cooperation strategy to support candidate countries in their efforts to join the EU. The PGSC meeting in Struga once again confirmed the necessity of aligning the statistical system with European standards and strengthening the capacities of national statistical institutions in the process of European integration.