Thaindian News

PARIS (BNO NEWS) — The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) on Monday said that its members have accepted Estonia, Israel and Slovenia to join the group, raising the number of participating countries to 34.

The admissions follow nearly three years of accession negotiations. “Estonia, Israel and Slovenia, along with Chile that has just deposited its instrument to become a full member, will contribute to a more plural and open OECD that is playing an increasingly important role in the global economic architecture,” OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría said. Chile joined the OECD earlier this year as the organization’s first member in South America.

“This new chapter in the history of the Organization confirms our global vocation as the group of countries that search for answers to the global challenges, and establish standards in many policy fields such as environment, trade, innovation or social issues,” Gurría said.

In statements to a meeting of the Organization’s governing Council, OECD countries expressed the wish that membership of the Organization will bring all three future member countries closer to OECD standards in all fields.

During nearly three years of accession negotiations, the three countries were reviewed by 18 OECD Committees with respect to their compliance with OECD standards and benchmarks. “All three countries have been receptive to OECD recommendations on important issues and the membership talks have been constructive and open,” Gurría said. “The OECD accession process has delivered real policy changes and reform in all candidate countries. Once countries become members, this transformational process continues.”

Israeli Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Avigdor Liberman welcomed the decision, saying that the resolution is the result of a long-term diplomatic effort. Liberman said that the resolution is a ’stamp of approval’ for the country’s economy and its achievements in technology.

He added that the resolution on Israel’s addition to the OECD was unanimous, despite what Liberman called attempts by anti-Israel entities to prevent the acceptance of Israel into the OECD. “The fact that the attempts failed is proof of Israel’s solid standing with the international community, and that it is recognized for its achievements, despite the fierce incitement against it in every conceivable arena: political, security or economic,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.