A substantial part of finance ministers and economic officials from the 30 countries which comprise the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) have pledged to support the addition
of Israel to
the organization, Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz said during a socio-economic cabinet meeting.
Israel is scheduled to join the OECD in the first half of 2010.
During the session the minister reported the results of a series of meetings he held with OECD officials and stated that the organization's Secretary-General Angel Gurría is set to visit Israel in January 2010 having agreed on a date for Israel's final addition to the OECD.
The finance minister said that there has been an acceleration of procedures as part of hearings conducted by an OECD committee. The committee is due host appearances by Governor of the Bank of Israel, Stanley Fischer, Education Minister Gideon Sa'ar as well as Finance Ministry representatives.
Hearings in Israel are being conducted by a special inter-ministerial steering committee headed by Oded Brook, General Head of International Affairs at the Finance Ministry.
Deputy Foreign Minister Daniel Ayalon noted during the cabinet meeting that he does not foresee problems on the political level regarding Israel's imminent membership.
Steinitz ordered a boost of internal debates in government ministries ahead of the occasion and informed that the socio-economic cabinet will be discussing the matter for two straight months.
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