Vice-Premier for European Affairs Teuta Arifi addressed Tuesday a closing Conference of the EU-funded project: Technical Assistance to the State Statistical Office (SSO).

"Credible statistical data are vital to identify which spheres in the society have made progress and at what points additional efforts are required. The Republic of Macedonia, as a candidate country for the EU membership, is committed to introducing the European standards in statistical operations, and hence the Government has undertaken activities for enhancing the SSO's role," Arifi said at the event.

By assisting Macedonia, the EU has once again proven to be a sincere partner to the country in conducting the European reforms, she said.

"I am certain that such partnership is the best way for coordinating the efforts of both the Government and EU for turning our common goal into reality - Macedonia's accession to the EU," Arifi said.

Aivo Orav, Head of EU Delegation, hailed the dedication of participants in the project. For the last two years this project has contributed substantially to enhancing the SSO's capacity, he said.

The EU-funded project finalizes its activities after 26 months duration and available budget of almost EUR 1.8 million. The main aim of the project was to improve the range and the quality of SSO's official statistics, harmonized with the EU Acquis and international standards.

Since the start of the project in February 2010, more than 230 activities have been implemented. More than 12 trainings and seminars, as well as 4 study visits in Czech Republic, Germany and Italy were organized, thus deepening the knowledge of SSO's employees.

The Technical Assistance project to the SSO is a successful continuation of a long-term EU assistance provided since 1996, helping the SSO to further develop the national statistical system towards a fully sustainable and EU-harmonized statistical system.