During the meeting, Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevičius stressed that OECD membership is a priority for the Government of the Republic of Lithuania and the last round of negotiations is an important assessment of our country's efforts, demonstrating that Lithuania is seen as a reliable, economically developed and stable country in the international arena.
"The Government and diplomatic institutions have been working consistently and responsibly on reforming the governance model of individual sectors of the country's economy in order to match the highest international standards. We are ready to move towards a fully-fledged membership of the Organization", said the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister emphasized that the Government will make every effort to have proper and timely implementation of the Lithuania-OECD Action Plan. "We are preparing for the necessary revisions in the areas of state-owned companies, innovation policy, economic evaluation, youth employment and market openness", said the Head of the Government.
During the discussion, A. Butkevičius stated that by becoming a member of the prestigious club of economically mature and capable countries Lithuania will have its economy strengthened further, become more attractive for investors, increase its competitiveness and ensure success of future governance reforms. "Membership of the OECD is in the interest of all Lithuanian people", assured the Prime Minister.
The OECD is an organization, commonly described as the club of "successful" states. This is an expert forum where the countries shape and develop new economic and social policy guidelines which are then translated into practical life of the states.
The current OECD membership comprises 34 countries and, apart from Lithuania, accession talks have also been opened with Columbia, Latvia, Russia and Costa Rica.
Back in the year 2000, the aim of becoming an OECD member was included in the Government Programme, and in 2002 Lithuania submitted an official request to join the organisation. The 16th Government has taken a proactive stance to implement this priority of foreign and economic policy – it strengthened the preparations for membership, allocated more resources and made intensive diplomatic efforts.
On 4 June 2015, the Ministerial Council of the OECD invited Lithuania to begin the formal accession process.
