Slovakia to apply for OECD council presidency

BRATISLAVA, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Slovakia will run for the presidency of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), it was announced Wednesday.

It will strengthen the personnel in its permanent mission to the OECD and in the steering department that deals with the OECD agenda at the headquarters, the Slovak government decided during its regular session on Wednesday.

"The time has come for the Slovak Republic, as a full member of the OECD, to show its commitment to the organization and to submit its candidacy to preside over the OECD Council meeting at the ministerial level," announced the press department of the government office.

The presidency should also help promote Slovakia abroad, and at the national level to increase awareness of its role in the international environment. According to the press department, the year 2019 is ideal for the Slovak presidency, because a parliamentary election will be held in 2020.

Slovakia is the only country running for the presidency. The OECD Council usually meets once a month at the permanent representatives level and once a year at the ministerial level. Enditem