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

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