Development Minister Ziga Turk received Aart Jan de Geus, deputy secretary general of the OECD, on Tuesday, discussing with him Slovenia's OECD accession process, the effects of OECD membership on Slovenia and key factors for the success of social reform, the Government Growth Office said in a press release.
The process of joining may often take long, however, the invitation is already a recognition for Slovenia, Turk said after the meeting. According to Turk, Slovenia should join the OECD without any major problems, since Slovenia and other OECD members share the values of democracy and market economy and have similar standpoints on economic and social development.
Slovenia, one of eight EU members not in the OECD, was invited into the organisation at the ministerial in Paris on 26 May, along with Russia, Estonia, Chile and Israel.
Before becoming a member, a country must meet three basic conditions: market economy, democracy and respect for human rights. "Slovenia definitely meets the basic membership criteria, and will do its best to ensure an effective cooperation with the OECD on strategic, as well as other economic issues," Turk said.
De Geus, who had been Dutch employment and social affairs minister before taking up the post at the OECD, shared his experience in implementing social reforms with Turk. During his time as minister, key reforms had been carried out in the Netherlands, the office also said.
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