Chronology of Estonia becoming a member
16 May 2007 – at the meeting of OECD ministers, the expansion strategy was approved and it was decided to start accession negotiations with Estonia, Slovenia, Israel, Chile, and Russia.
3 December 2007 – the countries invited to the accession negotiations were given roadmaps describing the course of the negotiation process.
12 June 2008 – Estonia handed over a preliminary memorandum in which it expressed its views on OECD instruments (recommendations, declarations, etc.).
27 May 2010 – the OECD Council invited Estonia to join the organisation.
3 June 2010 – OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría and Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip signed the accession agreement in Tallinn.
9 December 2010 – after the accession agreement was ratified in the Riigikogu and deposited in the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Estonia became a full member of the OECD.
Why is membership in the OECD important for Estonia?
- The OECD is a recognised centre of economic analysis that covers the entire government sector with its diverse activities. The aim of the organisation is to provide support to policy-makers with its analytical capabilities. Several important analyses have been prepared for Estonia as well. The results of the research are published in print and are also available electronically.
- The OECD is an important information exchange place for experts. Experts from the member states meet regularly at sessions of committees and expert or working groups to discuss topical issues, share their experiences, and learn from the experiences of others. Membership in the OECD helps make our officials more professional.
- The OECD is a pioneer in several areas. The guidelines and principles developed in the organisation have become norms in several areas, which are also followed by countries that are not members. For example, the majority of double taxation avoidance agreements concluded in the world (including those of Estonia) are based on the OECD model agreement, and development aid norms are also determined in the relevant OECD committee. The OECD is developing a global solution for the taxation for large digital technology multinationals and the introduction of a minimum income tax for companies.
- The OECD is a very good source of statistical information. Statistical data collected by the organisation is widely used in research, journalism, etc. in the world.
- By being a member of the OECD, Estonia can influence the processes of accession to the OECD of countries important for Estonia.
Last updated: 24.08.2022
