Israelsk medlemskap i OECD

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Dagsordenspunkt 6: Tiltredelse

• Pleased to note that the accession process is advancing well.
• Norway expects candidate countries to accept the fundamental values of the OECD.
• We also expect candidate countries to accept the established body of OECD instruments, standards and benchmarks before becoming members.
• During our discussions we have focussed on the like-mindedness of candidate countries. We believe this is an important issue to address and that this is the time to focus on key criteria and fundamental values. A particulat focus has been placed on Russia and I believe we should keep this focus in our up coming discusion with the Russian authorities.
• I would like to add the need to also address outstanding issues relating to the candidacy of Israel. Norway believes that a number of questions arise related to the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel. Recent news about new settlements on occupied land is a profound challenge to the ongoing peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians and runs counter to pledges that have been made at numerous occasions.

In addition it raises important structural questions to OECD on how to consider and measure the state of Israel’s economy when there is no settled clarity about borders and when there is intensified value creation taking place on ccupied land.

• Norway expects that this issue, as well as other concerns, will be addressed adequately in the upcoming discussions on the terms and conditions for membership.