OECD announces official termination of Russia's accession process

　　China News Agency, Paris, February 25 (Reporter Li Yang) The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) issued a statement on the evening of the 25th local time, announcing the official termination of Russia's process of joining the organization.

　　The OECD Council has decided to formally terminate Russia's process of joining the organization, the statement said.

The OECD suspended negotiations on Russia's accession to the organization in 2014, which Russia regretted at the time.

　　It is reported that the OECD agreed in May 2007 to start negotiation with Russia and other countries; Russia applied to join the OECD in 1996.

　　The OECD Council asked the OECD secretary-general to take the necessary steps to close the OECD office in Moscow and to stop issuing ministerial-level invitations to Russia.

The Council also requested the Secretary-General not to enter into any new voluntary contributions agreements with Russia and to take the necessary steps to stop projects that have not yet started funded by Russian voluntary contributions.

　　The OECD's statement on the 25th also stated that the organization will continue to stand firm in solidarity with the Ukrainian people, strengthen support for Ukraine's elected government, continue to reconsider all cooperation with Russia in the coming weeks, and develop further measures to strengthen the OECD's support for the country. Official support from Ukraine.

　　The OECD Council said it will continue to assess the economic and social impact of the current Russian military action against Ukraine and discuss with the International Energy Agency the impact of the military action on energy markets.

　　The OECD has issued a brief statement on the 24th condemning Russia's military action against Ukraine.

　　The OECD was established in 1961 and is headquartered in Paris, France. It aims to coordinate the economic policies of its member countries and promote economic development; its members include more than 30 market economy countries such as the United States, France, the United Kingdom, and Japan.

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