Israel admitted to OECD in key diplomatic victory

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(10 May 2010) • 1. Angel Gurria arriving at news conference at OECD headquarters • 2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Angel Gurria, OECD Secretary-General: • I am very happy to confirm to you, because we have already informed you in our press release, that the council today decided to extend an invitation to Estonia, Israel and Slovenia to become members of the organisation. • 3. Wide shot of news conference • 4. Mid shot cameraman • 5. SOUNDBITE: (English) Angel Gurria, OECD Secretary-General: • From the point of view of the OECD itself this culminates a process of three years since the invitation was issued to the Secretary to work with him in order to seek accession and then it is with great satisfaction that we are sharing with you this information. • 6. Wide of news conference • STORYLINE: • Israel won a rare victory on the international diplomatic stage on Monday, gaining acceptance in an exclusive club of prosperous economies after a 16-year effort to join the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development - and in the face of stiff Palestinian opposition. • The council today decided to extend invitation to Estonia, Israel and Slovenia to become members of the organisation, said OECD Secretary General Angel Gurria. • The Paris-based organisation said it had invited Israel, as well as Estonia and Slovenia, to become members after they met specific criteria as developed, open economies. • Once formally invested as members, the three will swell the ranks of the OECD to 34 members, including the United States, a strong backer of Israel's bid. • Just a few months ago, Angel Gurria had expressed concern about high levels of poverty and unemployment, especially among the minority Arab populations, during a visit to Israel. • However, it did not appear to have hampered membership which comes after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cleared the way for the resumption of peace talks with the Palestinians last week, following a 17-month break. • While the OECD is essentially an economic club, membership could give Netanyahu's government a diplomatic boost. • Israel views membership as an important stamp of recognition for the country's economic accomplishments and hopes it bolsters Israel's credit rating and paves the way for additional trade. • Netanyahu said Monday's decision culminated contacts dating back to 1994, when Israel sent its first observers to the OECD. Israel formally started the OECD membership process three years ago. • Over the decades, Israel has evolved from a tiny, farming nation into a high-tech powerhouse, known for its numerous start-ups, developments in communications, software and military technology. • Palestinian officials had urged the OECD to reject Israel's application. • They said that Israel's occupation of the West Bank, and discriminatory treatment of its own Arab citizens, put the country at odds with the OECD's commitment to human rights. • • Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork • Twitter: / ap_archive • Facebook: / aparchives • Instagram: / apnews • • • You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...

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