STEP - Statistics Through Eastern Partnership

The six Eastern Partnership countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine) share a common past and their administrative systems, although having evolved independently in the recent years and despite numerous differences, still have many commonalities. All of the countries, to a varying degree, face a number of common economic, political and social challenges. Addressing these issues requires access to reliable, and up-to-date statistical data to guide policy development. The institutions involved in the production and dissemination of official statistics play a key role in this process and supporting them is thus essential.

EU statistical standards are among the most elaborate. Therefore, the European Union seeks to support the six Eastern Partnership countries in their efforts to align their statistical systems with European standards.

The European Commission is therefore funding the STEP programme, which is managed by Eurostat and implemented by Expertise France, in collaboration with the national statistical institutes of EU Member States : INSEE (France), ISTAT (Italy), KSH (Hungary), Statistics Denmark and Statistics Lithuania.

Furthermore, as the European statistical system is characterised by high levels of statistical harmonisation in a wide range of areas, it is expected that the Eastern Partnership countries will be able to better compare their trajectories and develop new roads for cooperation. Regional cooperation generates very positive emulation between the countries allowing to progress together towards more quality and comparability in the field of statistics. It also provides a propitious platform for the identification and promotion of good practices in the region.