Explanatory Memorandum to COM(2004)645-2 - Conclusion of the Agreement with Switzerland in the field of statistics

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dossier COM(2004)645-2 - Conclusion of the Agreement with Switzerland in the field of statistics.
source COM(2004)645 EN
date 05-10-2004
The very close relations between the European Union and Switzerland in all economical, social and political matters make it desirable to intensify the statistical cooperation. In fact, Eurostat has been co-operating with the Swiss Federal Statistical Office for many years. Such cooperation should have been implemented through the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA). Switzerland was signatory party to this agreement but, after a negative referendum in 1992 was unable to ratify. Also, the Swiss request for accession of 20 May 1992 was put on hold.

Since the non-ratification of the EEA by Switzerland there have been informal arrangements under which Switzerland has been invited to attend various low profile (mainly technical) meetings as an observer; these exclude the top level meetings such as the Statistical Programme Committee to which the EEA-EFTA countries participate as full members for EEA relevant items.

Following the negative EEA referendum Switzerland has suggested developing relations with the European Union on a basis of sectoral bilateral agreements. This included an agreement on statistical cooperation. At the occasion of the signature of seven bilateral agreements between the European Community and Switzerland on 21 June 1999 both parties declared jointly their intention to undertake negotiations with view to conclude an agreement on the Swiss participation in certain statistical programmes of the Community.

In 2000 the Council authorised the Commission to start negotiations with Switzerland. In the guidelines for negotiation it was specified that the agreement should be based on the multi-annual Community Statistical Programme and work towards harmonisation of data collection, nomenclatures, definitions and statistical methodologies. Exchanges of staff were foreseen. The agreement would be overseen by a joint committee.

The negotiations between the Commission and Switzerland took place over the next years and were concluded on 25 June 2004 with the initialling of the agreement by the Directors-General of Eurostat and the Swiss Federal Statistical Office.

This agreement is in the interests of both parties. From the EU point of view, Switzerland already could be said to be participating in many aspects of the Community Statistical Programme (attendance at certain technical meetings, publication of data on Switzerland in EU publications, etc.) without making a financial contribution. Under this agreement, relations would be formalised. Switzerland would gain participation in the European Statistical System and 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; the benefits to Switzerland would be marginally less that those afforded to EEA-EFTA countries.

Whilst Switzerland would be permitted to participate in the Community Statistical Programme, no Swiss participants would be eligible for Community financing. Thus it was not necessary to include in the agreement provisions on financial control.

The extent of the acquis communautaire that Switzerland is to adopt is comparable to that contained in Annex XXI of the EEA Agreement; there are technical adaptations and some temporary derogations which are necessary to give Switzerland the opportunity to adapt its statistical system.