Relations with Higher Income Countries (HIC) take place mainly via bilateral agreements or in international fora such as UN and OECD. This section generally deals with those countries outside of the European Union that are members of the OECD and with Russia.
EEA (European Economic Area) and Switzerland
The bilateral agreement between the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on cooperation in the field of statistics is ratified and came into force 1st January 2007. The annex A of the agreement was updated for the first time in 2008. In 2010 a more thorough revision followed.
In general, relations with EFTA countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) are centred on the EEA agreement.
EU opened accession negotiations with Iceland in 2010.
Canada
In 2009 Eurostat signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Statistics Canada aiming at promoting cooperation and coordination in the production of statistics and exchange of best practices.
Chile
In 2010 Eurostat signed a MoU with the National Statistical Institute of Chile. A joint work programme is being elaborated incorporating areas such as Statistical Data and Metadata Exchange (SDMX) as well as joint EU-Chile statistical publications.
Mexico
In 2009 Eurostat signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Institute of Statistics and Geography of Mexico (INEGI). A joint work programme is being followed including exchange of informations, study visits and seminars and joint EU-Mexico publications.
Republic of Korea
Eurostat cooperates with KOSTAT (Statistics Korea) following the framework agreement between EU and the Republic of Korea. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed in 2010, aiming promoting comparability and harmonisation with international standards as well as exchange of information and joint Eurostat-KOSTAT publications.
Russia and CIS-STAT
The co-operation often takes place via the EU Delegation to Russia. Eurostat co-operates also with Rosstat and CIS-STAT (CIS=Commonwealth of Independent States). This comprises activities such as exchange of statistical data, preparations of joint publications and harmonisation of methods.
During the EU-Russia Summit in Moscow 10 May 2008 the leaders of the EU and Russia adopted a package of road maps for the creation of four Common Spaces. The European Commission funding for projects in Russia follows the Common Space Roadmaps, in particular via the 'Common Space Facility' and TAIEX.
A new Memeorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Eurostat and Rosstat is being drafted. Joint activities are foreseen, including an updated exchange of statistical data and metada using SDMX standards.
Eurostat and CIS-STAT have signed a MoU in 2006 which was revised and renewed in 2010.
Other countries
For other higher income countries, namely Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the United States, co-operation takes place mainly via bilateral contacts between Eurostat and the National Statistical Institutes, the European Union External Action Service (EEAS) and the EU Delegation in the respective country.
