Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman on Monday stated that the resolution is the result of a long-term diplomatic effort. Lieberman welcomed the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) resolution inviting Israel to join the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.  He stated that the resolution is the result of a long-term diplomatic effort, and congratulated the ministry officials responsible. According to the foreign minister, the resolution is a stamp of approval for the country’s economy and its achievements in technology.

Lieberman added that the resolution was unanimous, despite 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.

Following is the wording of the OECD Decision:
“Having regard to the Convention on the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development of 14 December 1960 (hereinafter referred to as “the Convention”) and, in particular to Articles 5 a) and 16;

“Having regard to the Council Resolution on Enlargement and Enhanced Engagement adopted on 16 May 2007 by which Council decided to open accession discussions with Israel [C/MIN(2007)4/FINAL];

“Having regard to the Roadmap for the Accession of Israel to the OECD Convention [C(2007)102/FINAL], adopted by Council on 30 November 2007, which set out the terms, conditions and process for the accession of Israel to the Organization (hereinafter referred to as “the Accession Roadmap”);

“Having regard to the Report of the Secretary-General on the Accession of Israel to the Organization [C(2010)42/REV2];

“Having regard to the Final Statement by the Government of the State of Israel dated 11 March 2010 concerning the acceptance by the State of Israel of the obligations of membership of the Organization [C(2010)43/FINAL];

“Having regard to the formal opinions of the OECD bodies listed in the Accession Roadmap [C(2010)44/FINAL];

“Having regard to the Note by the Secretary-General on the Position of Israel on Legal Instruments Not Reviewed by OECD Bodies [C(2010)45];

“Having regard to the Agreement between the Government of the State of Israel and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development on the Privileges, Immunities and Facilities Granted to the Organization and the related Exchange of Letters, signed on 19 January 2010;

“Considering that the Government of the State of Israel is prepared to assume the obligations of membership of the Organization;

DECIDES:
1.     The State of Israel is invited to accede to the Convention on the terms proposed in the Final Statement by the Government of the State of Israel [C(2010)43/FINAL] and those set out below.

2.     The State of Israel shall only accede to the Convention if the Agreement between the Government of the State of Israel and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development on the Privileges, Immunities and Facilities Granted to the Organization, signed on 19 January 2010, has entered into force.

3.     The State of Israel shall provide its position on each legal instrument of the Organization adopted between the date of the present Decision and the date of the accession of the State of Israel to the Convention within three months after the adoption of such legal instrument.

4.     All prior agreements on the participation of the State of Israel in OECD bodies as a non-Member shall be terminated as from the date of the accession of the State of Israel to the Convention.  As from that date, the State of Israel will participate in those OECD bodies as a Member of the Organization.

5.     The State of Israel shall provide progress reports to OECD bodies after its accession to the Convention as follows:
(a)      Chemicals Committee: A progress report within two years after accession and periodically thereafter, if required;
(b)      Environment Policy Committee: A progress report within two years after accession and periodically thereafter, if required;
(c)      Corporate Governance Committee: A progress report within two years after accession;
(d)      Committee on Financial Markets: A progress report within three
years after accession;
(e)      Insurance and Private Pensions Committee: A progress report within three years after accession;
(f)       Committee on Statistics: A progress report within two years after accession;
(g)      Employment, Labor and Social Affairs Committee: A progress report within two years after accession;
(h)      Trade Committee: A first progress report within two years after accession and a second progress report five years after accession.”

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)