DOKUMENTUM 759
COMMON DECLARATION ON STATISTICAL COOPERATION BETWEEN THE HUNGARIAN CENTRAL STATISTICAL OFFICE AND
THE STATISTICAL OFFICE OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
The political, institutional, economic and social changes now taking place in Hungary have necessitated a reexamination of the statistical system. New information is needed to provide the basis for the functioning of a market oriented economy, to support the design of reform programmes and assessment of the impact of reforms. For these aims the reform of the statistical system, adoption of new methodological and conceptual approaches and estab- lishing new priorities have become an urgent task.
The statistical cooperation between the European Communities and Hungary can greatly contribute to the implementation of these aims.
The cooperation shall focus on
_ redesigning the data collection system and establishing new mechanisms for data gathering,
—— developing a business register which encompasses the growing numbers of economic units,
— adopting internationally standardized classifications, statistical concepts, methods, especially the standards used within the European Communities.
— contributing to the eomputerization of the HCSO, supportíng statistical data processing, -- exchanging statistical information.
The transition project of the Hungarian statistics is documented in the Medium-term Development Program.
In order to achieve these objectives it is essential to ensure a good coordination of all the cooperation projects and activities. The purpose of this coordination is to promote an efficient utilization of the resources and effective division of labour between different programmes.
The keystone of the coordination between Hungary and the Group of 24— countries — known as 024 — as well as International Organizations in the field of statistics is the HCSO.
It shall be supported by the specific Inter-secretariat Working Group created by Inter- national Institutions with this purpose and by EUROSTAT, in the context of the decision of the 624 to give the Commission of the European Communities the responsibility of coor- dinating their cooperation with Central and Eastern European countries.
The Commission of the European Communities has already decided to allocate substantial funds to finance the statistical cooperation with Hungary by means of the Regional Programme and the National Programme Phare. EUROSTAT supports obtaining future financial resources reguired for further cooperation.
This collaboration includes:
—- professional training of the experts of the HCSO -— seminars, workshops organized in Hungary.
- participation of Hungarian statistioians in eeminars, working groups, study trips to be organized in EUROSTAT and EC Member States,
-— oonsultancies of EC experts in Hungary.
—- contribution to the modemization of the data processing system of HCSO,
— support for publications and other activities.
This Common Declaration has been signed to mark the beginning of a period of close collaboration between the two parties.
Budapest, 7 May, 1992
GYÖRGY VUKOVICH YVES FRANCHET
President Director General
Central Statistical Office Statistical Office
Hungary of the European
Communities
