AJC Welcomes Israel Membership in OECD

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May 10, 2010, 08:48 ET

NEW YORK, May 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Jewish Committee (AJC) saluted today's Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) decision to invite Israel to become a member of the global organization. Estonia and Slovenia also were invited by the 31 OECD member states.

"The OECD invitation is clear recognition of Israel's economic and technological strengths," said AJC Executive Director David Harris. "OECD membership will further enhance Israel's fruitful relations with other nations committed to democracy and market economies."

The OECD's annual ministerial council meeting in Paris, May 26-May 28, will officially announce the new members.

Israel, as well as Estonia and Slovenia, "will contribute to a more plural and open OECD that is playing an increasingly important role in the global economic architecture," said OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurria. "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."

SOURCE American Jewish Committee