Zagreb - The Speaker of the Croatian Parliament, Gordan Jandroković, on Friday received the Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Mathias Cormann, who is on an official visit to Croatia.
During the meeting, the two officials agreed that Croatia has successfully implemented a series of reforms and legislative adjustments and is now in the final stage of the OECD accession process.
Jandroković stressed that membership in the organisation is of strategic importance for Croatia, as it allows the country to join a community of around forty of the world’s most developed economies.
He added that the Sabort has, from the outset of the process, carried out all legislative activities in a timely manner to ensure effective alignment with OECD membership requirements.
He also highlighted the importance of ensuring that progress in the accession process is always based on the objective merits of each candidate country.
Secretary-General Cormann noted the significant progress Croatia has achieved in a relatively short period, which can serve as an example for current and future OECD membership aspirants.
Cormann underlined the key role of the Croatian Parliament in the accession process to date and reminded participants of the Parliament’s role in ratifying the accession treaty.
The meeting also included a brief presentation of the main highlights of the OECD’s second Economic Survey of Croatia, which Cormann is presenting publicly today.
Jandroković pointed out that joining the OECD completes Croatia’s process of international positioning, following membership in NATO and the European Union, as well as integration into the euro area and the Schengen area.
Referring to growing global uncertainty and the increasing weakening of multilateralism, he said that organisations such as the OECD can make a significant contribution to boosting international cooperation and enhancing economic resilience.
The Speaker recalled that since July 2023, a Working Group has been operating within the Committee on Foreign Affairs to coordinate activities in the Croatian Parliament related to Croatia’s OECD accession. Representatives from the majority of parliamentary parties are involved, and, together with the chairs and members of other relevant committees, the Working Group regularly collaborates with the OECD Global Parliamentary Network.
"All of this demonstrates the high level of interest among MPs in Croatia's accession process," Jandroković concluded.