Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) Welcomes Visit by PM to Ukraine: UCC
Encourages Harper Government to Engage Ukraine on Key Issues

OTTAWA, Oct. 19 /CNW/ - The Ukrainian Canadian Congress welcomed the announcement that Prime Minister Stephen Harper will be participating in a multi-day visit to Ukraine including: Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine and Lviv, the cultural capital in western Ukraine from October 25-26, 2010.

"We welcome the decision by Prime Minister Harper to visit Ukraine on an official working visit," stated Ukrainian Canadian Congress National President Paul Grod. "In particular we are pleased that the key purpose of the visit is to promote democratic values and Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine. Maintaining positive relations with Ukraine is important at this time however, a frank and respectful dialogue on recent human rights violations in Ukraine is critical. The UCC has advocated a strategy of engagement and, to this end, believe that an official visit to Ukraine by Prime Minister Harper is essential."

Grod, together with other representatives of Ukrainian Canadian community organizations that are members of the UCC, will be accompanying the Prime Minister. He noted that, in addition to meetings with President Yanukovych, Prime Minister Harper will be meeting with opposition leaders, business leaders, journalists, students and citizen groups. The last visit by a Canadian Prime Minister was in 1999 by The Right Honourable Jean Chretien and the most recent visit by Canada's Head of State was in April 2009 by Her Excellency The Right Honourable Michaelle Jean, Governor General of Canada.

"Recent steps taken by Ukraine's political leadership have seriously undermined the country's constitution, its democratic institutions, the protection of its historical memory and national identity, sovereignty and territorial integrity. A continued deterioration of human and political rights in Ukraine, the weakening of its national sovereignty will have serious implications in the region and beyond. Any relations between Canada and Ukraine must be founded on the principles contained in the bilateral agreement signed in September 2009 "Priorities for Canada-Ukraine Relations - Road Map" including the provisions on democracy, human rights and the protection of Ukraine's political sovereignty and territorial integrity. Canada's leadership is critical in ensuring peace, prosperity, and that Ukraine will be able to pursue a fully independent, democratic and dignified existence," stated Grod.

The Prime Minister's announcement follows a series of meetings and discussions with the UCC outlining the key areas of interest for the Ukrainian Canadian community. In its briefings, the UCC conveyed concerns over the erosion of democracy and human rights in Ukraine, and insisted that only through shared values in human rights and protection of democratic freedoms could mutually beneficial relations furthering trade, investment and commerce be developed.

"In the current context, with signs that Ukraine's language, history, and national identity are being threatened amid media reports indicating that the rule of law and democratic freedoms such as freedom of the press, assembly and speech are being stifled, it is important that these issues be raised at the most senior levels," stated Grod. "Canada has an opportunity to take a leadership position in response to this situation. Canada is widely respected in Ukraine as a model for democratic values and as a civil society, for its economic and social development, and its long-term support for Ukraine."

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress has outlined the following as its priorities:

    
    -   safeguarding the sovereignty, strategic assets and industries, and
        territorial integrity of Ukraine;
    -   respect for the Constitution, rule of law; democratic rights and
        anti-corruption actions;
    -   protect fundamental freedoms of expression, media, religion, peaceful
        assembly, and association;
    -   support person to person contact between Ukraine and Canada; and
    -   development of a Ukrainian national identity through an open
        dialogue, including free and unfettered access to historical archival
        documents about its history, culture and language.
    

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress anticipates that the visit will reinforce the channels through which we can foster mutually advantageous cooperation, including the signing of a Youth Mobility Agreement and the continuation of negotiations aimed at concluding a Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement.

About the Ukrainian Canadian Congress

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress is the voice of Canada's Ukrainian community. The Congress brings together under one umbrella all the national, provincial and local Ukrainian Canadian organizations. Together with its member organizations, the UCC has been leading, coordinating and representing the interests of one of Canada's largest ethnic communities (1.2 million) for 70 years and instrumental in shaping Canada's social, economic and political landscape.

For further information: UCC Media Contact: Darla Penner, Telephone: [phone], Email: [email protected], Website: www.ucc.ca