- Published: 20.02.2025.
Minister Grlić Radman opens EFRI Economic Forum on Croatia’s OECD membership
Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman participated in the EFRI Economic Forum titled “Croatia’s OECD Membership: A New Perspective on Economic and Business Development” on Thursday, February 20, 2025, in Opatija.
As Croatia’s chief negotiator for OECD accession, Minister Grlić Radman opened the forum with an introductory speech on the progress of negotiations, challenges, and the expected benefits of membership. He emphasized that joining this international organization is one of Croatia’s most significant remaining foreign policy objectives. “Accession to the OECD marks the final step in Croatia’s international positioning and will further enhance the business environment, attract new investments, and stimulate economic growth,” said Grlić Radman.
Speaking about the accession process, the minister noted that Croatia has made significant progress, having closed 18 out of 25 chapters. He stated that the country aims to complete the technical negotiations for the remaining chapters by the end of this year and officially join the OECD in the first half of 2026. He briefly outlined the benefits of membership, highlighting that joining the OECD presents an opportunity for greater financial stability, increased exports and investments, and a stronger international standing for Croatia.
The Economic Forum was organized by the Faculty of Economics of the University of Rijeka and Novi list. The central part of the forum was dedicated to a panel discussion that brought together decision-makers, prominent representatives of the economy, entrepreneurship, and the financial sector. They exchanged views and proposals on how OECD membership can improve the investment climate, drive structural reforms to enhance the business environment, influence investments and the labour market, and how the Croatian economy can leverage this opportunity for further growth and global positioning.
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As Croatia’s chief negotiator for OECD accession, Minister Grlić Radman opened the forum with an introductory speech on the progress of negotiations, challenges, and the expected benefits of membership. He emphasized that joining this international organization is one of Croatia’s most significant remaining foreign policy objectives. “Accession to the OECD marks the final step in Croatia’s international positioning and will further enhance the business environment, attract new investments, and stimulate economic growth,” said Grlić Radman.
Speaking about the accession process, the minister noted that Croatia has made significant progress, having closed 18 out of 25 chapters. He stated that the country aims to complete the technical negotiations for the remaining chapters by the end of this year and officially join the OECD in the first half of 2026. He briefly outlined the benefits of membership, highlighting that joining the OECD presents an opportunity for greater financial stability, increased exports and investments, and a stronger international standing for Croatia.
The Economic Forum was organized by the Faculty of Economics of the University of Rijeka and Novi list. The central part of the forum was dedicated to a panel discussion that brought together decision-makers, prominent representatives of the economy, entrepreneurship, and the financial sector. They exchanged views and proposals on how OECD membership can improve the investment climate, drive structural reforms to enhance the business environment, influence investments and the labour market, and how the Croatian economy can leverage this opportunity for further growth and global positioning.