Ukrainian PM Shmygal expects Ukraine to become OECD member soon

MOSCOW. Oct 5 (Interfax) - The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) views Ukraine as a potential member, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmygal said.

"In Lugano in July this year, I handed a Ukrainian accession application to OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann. Last week, I spoke online at the opening of an OECD Council session, where the application was considered. Mr. Cormann said today that the Organization is launching an initial dialogue on Ukraine's accession," Ukrainian media quoted Shmygal as saying on social media on Wednesday.

"After that, the OECD Council will begin discussions and preparations for drafting a road map. We are also working on the soonest possible opening of an OECD office in Ukraine," he said.

"How will the accession to the OECD benefit Ukraine? The organization is a so-called club of successful countries accounting for over 62% of global GDP. Admitting Ukraine to the company of developed countries is an important marker of our country's preparedness for joining the EU and a message to foreign companies that Ukraine is a promising place for investment and business development," Shmygal said.