Latvia's road to the OECD: Chronology of events [22 May 2007]

 

1991	Co-operation begins between the OECD and Latvia within the framework of the Centre for Co-operation with the Economies in Transition, Programme for Central and Eastern European Countries, in the areas of investment, privatisation, fiscal policy and accounting reforms, statistics, taxes and agriculture
1994	Latvia joins the SIGMA programme for implementing administrative reforms
1995	The Ministry of Foreign Affairs initiates opening of the discussions with the OECD regarding Latvia's possible membership as well as observer status in a number of OECD Committees
22 October 1996	A Joint Declaration of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuanian is signed in Tallinn, expressing the wish of the Baltic States to join the OECD, and inviting the OECD to establish a special regional programme for the Baltic States
1998	Referring to the Joint Declaration of the Baltic States, the OECD announces the Baltic Regional Programme for the period of 1998-2004, covering a number of important areas of national economy
1998	Latvia is invited to participate in the Programme for International Student Assessment. Subsequently, three further studies are carried out in Latvia
29 September, 1998	An Inter-ministerial Consultative Council is established in Latvia to co-ordinate the OECD Baltic Regional Programme
February 1999	Latvia submits an official application to adhere the OECD Declaration on International Investment and Multinational Enterprises, and to acquire observer status on the OECD Committee on International Investment and Multinational Enterprises
12 January 2000	Latvia submits an official application for membership in the OECD Working Group on Bribery in International Business Transactions, and expresses its wish to join the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions
19 September 2000	OECD Deputy Secretary-General Seiichi Kondo visits Riga. He is accompanied by a representative of the OECD Centre for Cooperation with Non-Members, Jan Schuijer, and the Co-ordinator of the OECD Baltic Regional Programme, Sirkka Siikamaki. Meetings are held with the Latvian Prime Minister, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Justice and Welfare, and the State Secretary of the Ministry of Economy
13 March 2001	Latvia submits an official application to join the OECD Competition Committee
29 November 2001	Latvia is admitted to the OECD Committee for Agriculture Scheme for Cereals, and the Scheme for Grass and Legume Seed, and begins ongoing participation in their work
12February 2002	Following an invitation by the OECD, Latvian experts participate at a meeting of the Competition Committee, and outline the potential  contribution to the work of the Committee, and report on the latest events in Latvia's competition policy
2002	Latvia begins work as an observer in the OECD Programme on Institutional Management in Higher Education
30 October 2002	Latvia forwards an official application to join the OECD Co-operative Action Programme on Local Economic and Employment Development
28 April 2003	During a visit to the OECD, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Ms Sandra Kalniete, presents a letter indicating Latvia's interest to join a number of OECD committees: the Employment, Labour and Social Affairs Committee, the Committee on Fiscal Affairs, the Committee for Information, Computer and Communications Policy, the Education Committee, the Maritime Transport Committee, the Working Party on Agricultural Policies and Markets, and the Group on Meat and Dairy Products of the Agricultural Committee
28 May 2003	Latvia becomes a member country of the OECD Co-operative Action Programme on Local Economic and Employment Development, and regularly participates in its activities
28 May 2003	A report on Latvia's policy in the area of direct foreign investment is repeatedly reviewed at the meeting of the International Investment and Multinational Enterprises Committee. The Committee passes a decision to invite Latvia to join the OECD Declaration on International Investment and Multinational Enterprises
16 December 2003	The Cabinet of Ministers of Latvia approves Latvia's adherence the OECD Declaration on International Investment and Multinational Enterprises, and related decisions and recommendations of the OECD Council. Thus Latvia becomes an active participant in the Working Party of the OECD Investment Committee
16 December 2003	The Cabinet of Ministers of Latvia transfers the functions of the Inter-ministerial Consultative Council co-ordinating the OECD Baltic Regional Programme to the newly formed OECD Consultative Council
25 August 2004	The Cabinet of Ministers of Latvia approves Policy Guidelines for Co-operation between Latvia and the OECD
17September 2004	During a visit to the OECD, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Mr Artis Pabriks presents Latvia's position on the OECD Enlargement Strategy to OECD Deputy Secretary-General Kiyotaka Akasaka
16 December 2004	Latvia is granted observer status in the OECD Maritime Transport Committee
18 April 2005	The last evaluation meeting of the Baltic Regional Programme takes place in Paris. The Baltic states repeatedly emphasise their goal: full membership of the OECD
14 September 2006	The OECD Council begins discussions extending over several months on the possible enlargement of the OECD, and identification of countries for potential accession and countries for enhanced engagement. During the discussions, Latvia's candidature is assessed
4-5 October 2006	As an ad hoc observer, Latvia for the first time participates in the work of the Committee for Information, Computer and Communications Policy
7 November 2006	Membership in the OECD is included in a Declaration of the Government of Latvia
8 March 2007	During his meeting in Paris with the OECD Secretary-General Mr Angel Gurría, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Mr Artis Pabriks, reiterates Latvia's aspirations for full membership of this organization.
16 May 2007	OECD Council at ministerial approves the Resolution on Enlargement and Enhanced Engagement