Israel is to join by summer the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurria said Tuesday after meeting with Israeli leaders, dpa reported.
"We are inviting Israel to become a full member," he told Israeli television.
He said the process was progressing smoothly and would likely be complete by June or July.
Gurria signed an agreement with Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman that cleared the way for Tel Aviv to join the group founded in 1961 in Paris. The agreement would give OECD representatives in Israel diplomatic immunity.
Ahmed Tibi, an Arab member of the Knesset, had urged the OECD not to accept Israel because of discrimination against Arab citizens.
Earlier this month, Chile became the first South American nation to join the 31-member body.
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