December 2004

Background

Sound statistical bases are needed for conduct of policies in many areas. Whilst adoption of the legal acquis for this chapter is not, as such, problematic the main issue is rather whether the countries are able to produce accurate and harmonised data in a permanent and sustainable way. Quality of statistics depends very much on the general administrative capacity of a country, on its public service performance and on the capacity to recruit and retain qualified people. All countries have accepted the acquis and in general terms there is a good level of alignment to basic principles. Statistical co-operation with these countries has been increasing progressively over recent years, both on a bilateral basis with Eurostat (partly supported through PHARE) and also in the framework of international organisations such as UN, IMF, and OECD.

State of Play

This chapter has been negotiated and was closed with 10 countries in December 2002. It was provisionally closed with Bulgaria and Romania in December 2000 and definitely closed with both countries in December 2004. No transitional arrangements have been accepted.

Compliance with the acquis

The latest assessment of each candidate country’s compliance with the acquis under this chapter heading, can be found in the 2004 Regular Reports and in the Comprehensive Monitoring Reports, available at:
http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/archives/key_documents/reports_2004_en.htm.

Country by country

Bulgaria

• Chapter opened: October 2000
• Status: closed in December 2004 (provisionally closed in December 2000)
• Transitional arrangements: none

Cyprus (New Member State)

• Chapter opened: March 1999
• Status: Closed December 2002 (provisionally closed in June 1999)
• Transitional arrangements: none

Czech Republic (New Member State)

• Chapter opened: March 1999
• Status: Closed December 2002 (provisionally closed in June 1999)
• Transitional arrangements: none

Estonia (New Member State)

• Chapter opened: March 1999
• Status: Closed December 2002 (provisionally closed in June 1999)
• Transitional arrangements: none

Hungary (New Member State)

• Chapter opened: March 1999
• Status: Closed December 2002 (provisionally closed in June 1999)
• Transitional arrangements: none

Latvia (New Member State)

• Chapter opened: April 2000
• Status: Closed December 2002 (provisionally closed in June 2000)
• Transitional arrangements: none

Lithuania (New Member State)

• Chapter opened: April 2000
• Status: Closed December 2002 (provisionally closed in June 2000)
• Transitional arrangements: none

Malta (New Member State)

• Chapter opened: October 2000
• Status: Closed December 2002 (provisionally closed in December 2000)
• Transitional arrangements: none

Poland (New Member State)

• Chapter opened: March 1999
• Status: Closed December 2002 (provisionally closed in June 1999)
• Transitional arrangements: none

Romania

• Chapter opened: October 2000
• Status: closed in December 2004 (provisionally closed in December 2000)
• Transitional arrangements: none

Slovakia (New Member State)

• Chapter opened: May 2000
• Status: Closed December 2002 (provisionally closed in June 2000)
• Transitional arrangements: none

Slovenia (New Member State)

• Chapter opened: March 1999
• Status: Closed December 2002 (provisionally closed in June 1999)
• Transitional arrangements: none