Later in 2013 a gradual recovery should start, as our accommodative monetary policy stance, the significant improvement in financial market confidence and reduced fragmentation work their way through to private domestic expenditure, and a strengthening of foreign demand should support export growth. The risks surrounding the economic outlook for the euro area remain on the downside.
It is my firm belief that your combined efforts and your expertise will bring in a dynamic, productive and efficient meeting, with interesting presentations and fruitful discussions about the issue of interagency statistical cooperation at national and EU levels.