(Communicated by the Foreign Minister's Bureau)

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Avigdor Liberman and the Secretary-General of the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) Angel Gurría signed today (Tuesday 19 January 2010) an agreement between Israel and the OECD regulating the immunities and rights granted to the OECD. The agreement, which regulates the legal standing of the organization's activities in Israel, is a condition of membership in the organization, and is a significant milestone in Israel's process of joining the OECD.

At the signing ceremony, FM Liberman stated that the OECD is one of the most exclusive and important clubs in the international arena, and that the signing of the agreement is an important step forward in the process of joining OECD. FM Liberman expressed his appreciation of Secretary-General Gurría's positive attitude regarding the inclusion of Israel, and that the OECD is an organization  that deals with practical and tangible matters. He added that cooperation between the OECD and Israel can really change reality.

Secretary-General Gurría stated that the signing of the agreement testifies to the preparations and to the continuation of progress in the process of including Israel in the OECD, which should be finalized in 2010.