Vol. 524 No. 3
41 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government is supporting the application of the Slovak Republic for membership of the OECD; his views on the objections raised by the United States to the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18161/00]
The council of the OECD formally invited the Slovak Republic to become a member of the organisation following its extraordinary meeting of 28 July 2000 and subsequent to this the republic officially acceded to the organisation at the meeting of the OECD council on 28 September. This concluded the accession negotiations and Slovakia will become the 30 member of the organisation when it formally deposits its instrument of ratification.
Ireland supported Slovakia throughout the accession negotiations and particularly in recent months when it appeared that its admission to the OECD might have been further delayed. We are happy to welcome Slovakia as the newest member of the OECD.
