TRIO PROGRAMME

The Netherlands, Slovakia and Malta constitute the Presidency Trio for the eighteen months from 1 January 2016 to 30 June 2017. The Netherlands held the Presidency in the first half of 2016 and Slovakia in the second half of 2016. Malta will hold the Presidency in the first six months of 2017.

In the field of European statistics, the three Presidencies will focus on the provision of high-quality and relevant European statistics produced in accordance with Regulation (EC) 223/2009 on European statistics and guided by the principles of the European Statistics Code of Practice. Additionally, the Trio will support and promote the implementation of Vision 2020 for the European Statistical System (ESS). The aim of all Vision 2020 projects is for deliverables to be as precise and as tuned to user needs as possible in order to encourage Member States to implement them. In supporting such initiatives, the Trio will take into consideration that the key EU principles of subsidiarity and proportionality must always be respected, and that the investment costs of implementing Vision 2020 initiatives may not be excessive.

The main lines of the Maltese programme are set out in the Trio Presidency programme. In order to achieve the targets set out in this programme, the Maltese Presidency will build on the work and progress achieved by its Trio Partners, the Netherlands and Slovakia, as well as the achievements of previous Presidencies. The Maltese Presidency will pay special attention to strengthening the confidence in European statistics, harmonisation, and the reduction of costs and response burden.