The SEE regional programme brings economies from the region closer to the OECD, aiming to deepen their dialogue with the Organisation and to support their reform agendas. In particular, SEE economies have intensified their participation in OECD bodies and their adherence to legal instruments. They have integrated a number of statistical reporting and information systems, and benchmarking exercises such as the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). They have also continued to participate in OECD Global Forums, publications and policy reviews.

On 25 January 2022, the OECD Council decided to open accession discussions with Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania. This follows careful deliberation by OECD Members on the basis of its evidence-based Framework for Consideration of Prospective Members and the progress made by Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania since their first respective requests for OECD membership.

Individual roadmaps for the detailed assessment process will now be prepared, provided that Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania confirm their adherence to the values, vision and priorities reflected in the OECD’s 60th Anniversary Vision Statement and the Ministerial Council Statement adopted last year.

Albania	Bosnia and Herzegovina	Bulgaria
Croatia	North Macedonia	Kosovo*
Montenegro	Romania	Serbia

*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244/99 and the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice on Kosovo’s declaration of independence