(ANSA) - BELGRADE, JAN 26 - The OECD Council decided to open accession discussions with six candidates to OECD Membership, including Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania, the OECD informed on Tuesday. Individual roadmaps for the assessment process will now be prepared "provided those countries confirm their adherence to the values, vision and priorities," the organisation said.

"Candidate countries will be able to use the accession process to promote further reforms for the benefit of their people, while also strengthening the OECD as a like-minded community committed to a rules-based international order," said OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann. (ANSA).