Israel joined a body that is a steppingstone to membership in a major economic alliance.

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development last week approved Israel's membership in its Development Center, which creates ties between developed and developing nations.

The center, an Israel Finance Ministry release on Sunday said, creates a "platform through which member states can share their experience in economic and social development." Israel has a long history of assisting developing nations in Africa and the Far East.

Membership in the Development Center is considered a step toward membership in the economic organization, a broad alliance of nations promoting democracy and economic development.

The Finance Ministry statement said that joining the center "reinforces Israel's standing as a state that makes an important contribution to joint international efforts to improve living conditions in developing countries and [to promote] cooperation with these countries."

BACK