site.btaPM Glavchev: Bulgaria's Accession to OECD Is a Top Foreign Policy Priority

During the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting in Paris, caretaker Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Dimitar Glavchev said that the process of Bulgaria's accession to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) helps the country bring national policies into line with the highest global standards. 

"As a future member of the Organization, we will do our best to spread the best practices and policies of the OECD in South East Europe," said Glavchev, quoted by the press centre of the Cabinet on Thursday.

The Prime Minister confirmed the accession to the OECD as a top foreign policy priority for Bulgaria, along with the country's accession to the Eurozone and full membership in the Schengen area, including by land. "Bulgaria will continue to be a stable and consistent partner," Glavchev was adamant. He pointed out that work on all priority policies for the country at the national level and within the EU, such as education, digitalization, green transition, circular economy, will provide additional guarantees and impetus for the successful finalization of the negotiations on accession to the OECD.

Prime Minister Glavchev said that the accession process plays the important role of an accelerator for reforms, a transforming force that Bulgaria currently needs. In addition, Bulgaria's active dialogue with the OECD is a chance to find solutions to improve the effectiveness of public policies. "The process of preparation and the accession of Bulgaria to the OECD will contribute to our efforts to implement better policies for a better life," added Glavchev, noting that it is now particularly important for Bulgaria to ensure favorable conditions for holding fair, transparent and free elections. This is exactly the kind of commitment that the current Cabinet has made.

Glavchev noted Bulgaria's consistent and predictable foreign policy, permanently defined by Euro-Atlantic values. In his speech, the Prime Minister mentioned Russia's war against Ukraine. "We must continue to deepen our cooperation to meet the pressing challenges and opportunities of our time. Together, we must do more to ensure peace, stability and prosperity at the regional and global level, including through our support for Ukraine," he said.