Distinguished Directors General of the European Statistical System,

former vice-president of the European Union,

Distinguished delegates,

Ladies and Gentlemen.

I would like to thank Jan for inviting me to open the ninety-first DGINS Conference.

It's a great pleasure to be here at Eigtveds Pakhus which hosted many EU meetings during the Danish Presidency in 2002.

The former chairperson of the Commission, Romano Prodi once said:

“A few, well-chosen, well-presented figures can be much more enlightening than hours of talk”.

In spite of Mr. Prodi's remark, I will talk to you today - but not for hours!

Reliable and professional independent statistics are one of the pillars of a democratic society. Because statistics are used to form opinions, do research, and make political decisions on a sound basis.

The need for comparable data has always been the basic principle of co-operation within the European statistical community. Comparable data enables us to plan, monitor and evaluate policy initiatives.

As our countries are tied closer together in the global economy, this need becomes increasingly urgent.

That is certainly the case in the Lisbon process which makes use of Structural Indicators on such areas as employment, innovation and research.

Statistics also forms part of policy making in individual countries. For example, the Danish government has set up a Globalisation Council which is mandated to assist the Government in drawing up a strategy for Denmark to meet the challenge of globalisation.

One of the key tools employed by the Globalisation Council is benchmarking towards other countries.

As you can imagine, this benchmarking process relies heavily on comparable statistics.

The crucial role of statistics in policy making makes it increasingly urgent to ensure the openness, reliability and professional independence of statistical institutions - at national as well as European level. Lately the ECOFIN Council has dealt with this challenge in the European Statistics Code of Practice.

In order to ensure this openness, the need for good communication becomes obvious - which brings us to the theme of this conference: “THE CHALLENGE OF COMMUNICATING STATISTICS”.

One of the challenges of communicating statistics is to determine which statistics we “need to know” - and which statistics are only “nice to know".

Sometimes, it is difficult to make the distinction on what you "need to know" and what is "nice to know" - it depends on who you ask.

In my view, digital technology may serve as an important tool in communicating statistics. A tool which can transcend the dilemma of "need to know" and "nice to know".

Today’s digital technology can create a business on demand. By setting up interactive databanks or “datashooting” - users can subscribe to precisely the statistics they want. The technology is available. Now we have to use it!

It is obvious that new demands for statistics will arise in a society that constantly develops.

Issues like globalisation and the "knowledge-based economy" are high on the political agenda in many countries.

But important decisions should not be rushed through overnight.

Important decisions require thorough analysis and due consideration.

Important decisions require trustworthy, impartial and accessible statistics.

I think there is a potential for improving statistics which describe globalisation. Therefore, I urge you to consider the need for trustworthy, comparable statistics on globalisation.

However, it is also important to balance the need for new statistics with the need to keep the response burden in check. This is an important trade-off.

The European Statistical System is currently discussing how to balance new demands against existing - as well as prioritising among new demands. In line with the latest signals from the ECOFIN Council, I can only encourage you to continue along that line.

The issue of choosing which data to make a priority is linked to the broader issue of reducing the total administrative burdens on the business community.

The Danish government is determined to contribute to reducing the administrative burdens carried by the world of business. Since the bulk of administrative burdens are common to all EU-members, we should also co-operate on finding common solutions to our common burdens.

Reducing the statistical response burden is an important political goal. Not because statistical reports constitute a large burden in their own right. In fact, in Denmark the statistical response burden only accounts for about 1 percent of the total administrative burdens on businesses.

But statistical reports are sometimes seen as unnecessary - perhaps because their purpose seems remote. As opposed to for example tax returns which are perceived to serve a much more tangible outcome: The funding of our welfare services.

Therefore, we should continue our effort to balance and prioritise statistics.

In concluding my address, let me return to the outset - the quotation by Mr. Prodi.

Our goal must be to obtain "well-chosen, well-presented figures".

It is my hope that the discussions over the next two days will help us meet the challenge of communicating statistics.

I also hope you will find time to enjoy Copenhagen and its wonderful sights.

I hereby declare the 91st DGINS Conference in Copenhagen open – I wish you all an inspiring conference and an enjoyable stay in Copenhagen.

Thank you.