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The Medstat programme: current situation and future work in the region

This article discusses the current status of the MEDSTAT programme, which covers various statistical cooperation areas in Mediterranean countries. It highlights the achievements and benefits of the programme, and proposes the use of ENP instruments, TAIEX, and the European Statistical System (ESS) to create a mini-MEDSTAT III with a regional dimension. The involvement of Member States NSIs is emphasized as crucial for the success of the programme.

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The Medstat programme: current situation and future work in the region

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  1. The Medstat programme: current situation and future work in the region Tenth meeting of the Management Group on Statistical Cooperation Luxembourg, 24 - 25 April 2008

  2. Background • MEDSTAT II covers - Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, occupied Palestinian territory, Syria, Tunisia • First MEDSTAT statistical cooperation programme 1995-2003, but delays in starting follow up programme • MEDSTAT II runs from 2006 to mid-2009 • Programme managed by the European Commission’s Europe Aid cooperation Office and implemented by two consortia that include some Member States NSI • Eurostat provides technical expertise for the implementation of the programme

  3. Areas covered by MEDSTAT II • Agriculture and Fisheries statistics • Energy statistics • Environment statistics • External Trade and Balance of Payments statistics • Migration statistics • National Accounts statistics • Social (Education, Labour force, Poverty) statistics • Tourism statistics • Transport statistics

  4. Orientation phase 2006 • Assessment of the statistical situation of each of the countries • Construction of the Project Orientation Reports setting out the priorities for each country

  5. Implementation phase • Delivery and installation of IT equipment • Training in IT related issues, e.g. SAS, SPSS • General statistical training • Workshops and other training in specific thematic areas • Follow-up Technical Assistance from experts to help apply the new methods presented during the training • Study visits to Member States or EFTA countries • Data collection and publication

  6. MEDSTAT Strong points • Increased motivation in the Mediterranean NSIs • Dissemination of best practices and implementation of solutions to common problems • Shared goal: moving ahead within a common framework while each country can promote its own priorities • Improved communication within the statistical offices and between the NSI and other data providers • Raises the profile of statistics in the region and in the individual countries; • Strengthening the Euro-Med partnership and coordination with other fields or sectors of cooperation.

  7. After mid-2009? • No new MEDSTAT regional programme is foreseen • Instead selective use of experience from supporting reform in candidate and pre-candidate countries, “twinning” and TAIEX • Bilateral direct support will account for 90% of funding • MED countries have sent a strong message in favour of the continuation of a regional programme

  8. How to use ENP instruments to create a mini-MEDSTAT III For a limited number of themes, use TAIEX to: • organise regional training courses • Ask for technical assistance to help apply the new methods presented during the training • Organise study visits to MS NSIs

  9. Using the ESS to support a mini-MEDSTAT III – the role of Eurostat Eurostat will • Organise an annual EU-MED Directors Committee to shape the work programme for mini-MEDSTAT III • Organise a small task force to identify regional priorities for training, workshops, etc. and how to meet that need • Continue to collect and publish data on the Mediterranean region • Encourage Med countries to participate in seminars and workshops organised by Eurostat

  10. Using the ESS to support a mini-MEDSTAT III – role of Member States NSIs Member States NSIs are asked to • Provide assistance to Med countries in response to TAIEX requests • Participate in a small Task Force to identify regional priorities for training, workshops, etc. • For those NSIs involved in providing training under the ESTP, agree to repeat some of the same courses for Med countries • Consider introducing a (sub-)regional dimension to some elements of their bilateral programmes in the Med region

  11. Conclusions • The regional aspect of MEDSTAT is extremely important. It is the main reason why some countries participate at all; these countries risk being lost if the follow up has no real regional dimension. • The ESS working together with the Med countries can create a mini-MEDSTAT III, with a regional dimension • The ENP tool TAIEX can be used to partly fund a mini-MEDSTAT III. • A contribution in kind from the MS NSIs can make a big difference to the size of the mini programme, and would send a strong message of partnership and solidarity to Mediterranean partner countries

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