State administration increases efforts for Bulgaria's accession to the OECD
09 February 2023 News
National representatives will participate more actively in meetings of committees and working bodies of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) as part of the increased commitment of the public administration to our country's accession to the Organisation. This was announced on 8 February during the first 2023 regular meeting of the Inter-Agency Coordination Mechanisms (ICM) for Bulgaria's accession to the OECD.
The operational chair of the ICM, Deputy Minister Velislava Petrova, called for a proactive approach from the Bulgarian side in the accession process. She stressed that the regular participation in the meetings of the OECD committees and working groups provides an opportunity to become closely acquainted with the work and topics of the Organisation, to establish contacts and exchange experience.
As a candidate country, Bulgaria is entitled to participate in all OECD committees and working groups.
Deputy Minister Petrova encouraged maintaining active contacts with the OECD experts, who are ready to help Bulgaria on the path to membership in the Organisation. Mrs. Petrova informed that the OECD committees have started work on the technical reviews that will establish the compliance of Bulgarian laws, policies and practices with the legal instruments and standards of the Organisation.
Members of the ICM reaffirmed OECD accession as a key foreign policy priority on which there is broad consensus. The ICM discussed important national accession measures, including the draft National Roadmap of OECD Cooperation Activities for the period 2023-2025. This draft provides for the necessary administrative capacity to join the Organisation.
Romania, Croatia, Brazil and Peru are the other countries in the process of joining the OECD.
The ICM has been functioning since 2017 as a permanent council for the overall coordination of Bulgaria's preparations for OECD membership. The ICM is chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs under the operational chairmanship of a Deputy Minister designated by him and includes Deputy Ministers of other ministries, Chairpersons of government agencies and commissions, and heads of other institutions implementing measures on Bulgaria's preparations for OECD membership.
On 25 January 2022, the OECD Council decided to start accession talks with Bulgaria. More information on Bulgaria's application for OECD membership can be found in the dedicated section of the MFA website.