TIRANA, October 20/ATA/ On World and European Statistics Day, senior representatives of Albanian institutions and the European Union stressed the essential significance of quality and impartial statistics in the European integration process of Albania.
At the meeting held today in Tirana, Ritva Heikkinen from the European Delegation to Albania stated that statistics are the basis of sustainable policies and that they do not represent only figures, but the necessary evidence to assess progress in negotiations with the EU.
She singled out Chapter 18, related to statistics, as one of the key elements for accelerating the opening of other chapters, underlining the need for professionalism, independence and quality in data production.
Head of the INSTAT Elsa Dhuli was also in the same line, emphasizing that qualitative statistics are the foundation for drafting policies based on facts and accurate data.
She added that trust in official statistics is essential for Albania’s advancement on the path towards the EU, calling for full implementation of the European Statistics Code of Practice.
“In this process, the key word is that quality statistics are the basis for drafting policies based on facts and figures. This gives statistics an irreplaceable role on the path to European integration. Trust in official statistics is essential for the EU integration and this implies implementation of the European Statistics Code of Practice,” said Dhuli.
Meanwhile, the Swiss Ambassador to Albania Ruth Huber appreciated involvement of local actors in the creation of reliable data to build an open and accountable government.
“Reliable data co-created with local actors lays the foundation for accountable governance. We need to focus on statistics that are easy to understand, reliable and empower civil society, business, media, academia and local actors,” Huber stressed.
Chapter 18 of the negotiations with Brussels, related to ‘Statistics’, requires investments in statistical infrastructure and adaptation to EU standards, not only at the central but also at the local level.
The Albanian government is committed to meet all EU standards in the production and processing of official statistics by 2027, when the accession negotiations are aimed to be concluded. /e.xh/a.f/p.s./
