PURPOSE: the conclusion of an Agreement between the Community and the Swiss in the field of statistics.

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Decisions 2006/233/EC on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on co-operation in the field of statistics.

CONTENT: continuing close relations on all economic, social and political matters, between the European Community and the Swiss Confederation has resulted in the need to intensify collaboration efforts in the field of statistics. Given that EUROSTAT and the Swiss Federal Statistics Office have co-operated over a long period of time, this Council Decision concludes an Agreement between the two sides in order to formalise and intensify any such co-operation.

The Agreement allows for the production and dissemination of coherent and comparable statistical information relating to all aspects of economic, social and environmental policies. Both parties will use harmonised methods, definitions and classifications as well as common programmes. The Agreement also establishes a Joint Committee responsible for administering all aspects of the Agreement. The Agreement foresees an exchange of personnel.

Switzerland will cover the entire costs of its participation as well as contributing financially to the “Community Statistical Programme” on an annual basis, as soon as the Agreement comes into force

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 1 January 2007.

The European Parliament adopted a resolution drafted by Pervenche BERÈS (PES, FR) and approved the conclusion of the agreement.

The European Parliament adopted a resolution drafted by Pervenche BERÈS (PES, FR) and approved the conclusion of the agreement.

The committee adopted the report by Pervenche BERÈS (PES, FR) approving the conclusion of the agreement (consultation procedure).

PURPOSE : the signature and conclusion of an Agreement between the EU and the Swiss Confederation in the field of statistics

PROPOSED ACT : Council Decision.

CONTENT : since the Swiss rejection of the EEA in 1992, the Swiss authorities have been seeking closer ties with EU based on sectoral bi-lateral Agreements. In 2000, the Council authorised the Commission to begin negotiations with Switzerland on a multi-annual Community Statistical Programme. This Programme should work towards harmonisation of data collection, nomenclatures, definitions and statistical methodologies. Negotiations between the two sides were concluded in 2004. Under the terms of the Agreement there will be an exchange of staff with the Agreement being overseen by a joint committee. Switzerland will be allowed to participate in the European Statistical System whilst it will be expected to adopt a large proportion of the statistical acquis communautaire. The cost of participation being proposed exceeds the cost that Switzerland would have paid under the EEA. Lastly, whilst Switzerland would be permitted to participate in the Community Statistical Programme, no Swiss participants would be eligible for Community financing.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: Switzerland shall contribute financially, on an annual basis, to the Community Statistical Programme.

PURPOSE : the signature and conclusion of an Agreement between the EU and the Swiss Confederation in the field of statistics

PROPOSED ACT : Council Decision.

CONTENT : since the Swiss rejection of the EEA in 1992, the Swiss authorities have been seeking closer ties with EU based on sectoral bi-lateral Agreements. In 2000, the Council authorised the Commission to begin negotiations with Switzerland on a multi-annual Community Statistical Programme. This Programme should work towards harmonisation of data collection, nomenclatures, definitions and statistical methodologies. Negotiations between the two sides were concluded in 2004. Under the terms of the Agreement there will be an exchange of staff with the Agreement being overseen by a joint committee. Switzerland will be allowed to participate in the European Statistical System whilst it will be expected to adopt a large proportion of the statistical acquis communautaire. The cost of participation being proposed exceeds the cost that Switzerland would have paid under the EEA. Lastly, whilst Switzerland would be permitted to participate in the Community Statistical Programme, no Swiss participants would be eligible for Community financing.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: Switzerland shall contribute financially, on an annual basis, to the Community Statistical Programme.