PROTOCOL 30

on specific provisions on the organization of cooperation in the field of statistics

1. A conference of representatives of national statistical organizations of the Contracting Parties, the Statistical Office of the European Communities (Eurostat) and the Office of the Statistical Adviser of the EFTA States (OSA EFTA) shall be created. The conference shall guide statistical cooperation, develop programmes and procedures for statistical cooperation in close coordination with those of the Community and monitor their implementation.

2. The EFTA States shall, from the entry into force of the Agreement, participate within the framework of plans for priority actions in the field of statistical information.(1)

The EFTA States shall contribute financially to such actions in accordance with Article 82(1)(a) of the Agreement and the Financial Regulations thereto.

The EFTA States shall participate fully in the EC committees which assist the EC Commission in the management or development of such actions in so far as the subjects dealt with are covered by the Agreement.

3. Statistical information from EFTA States relating to matters covered by the Agreement shall be coordinated by the OSA EFTA and transmitted through it to Eurostat. Storage and processing of data shall take place within Eurostat.

4. Eurostat and the OSA EFTA shall ensure that EEA statistics are disseminated to the various users and to the public.

5. The EFTA States shall defray the additional costs incurred by Eurostat for storing, processing and disseminating data from their countries according to the provisions of the Agreement. The amounts involved shall be fixed periodically by the EEA Joint Committee.

6. Confidential statistical data may be used only for statistical purposes.

(1) i.e. future plans of the kind established by 389 Y 0628 (01) Council Resolution of 19 June 1989 on the implementation of a plan for priority actions in the field of statistical information: Statistical programme of the European Communities 1989 to 1992 (OJ No C 161, 28.6.1989, p. 1).