UKRAINIAN CANADIANS MEET WITH CANADA’S MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE
TORONTO, July 28, 2010— Canada-Ukraine relations were the focus of a wide-ranging discussion during a meeting of Ukrainian-Canadian community organizations and NGO representatives with the Hon. Peter Van Loan, Canada’s Minister of International Trade.
The meeting participants included Oleh Romanyshyn, President, League of Ukrainian Canadians (LUC), and Editor-in-Chief of Homin Ukrainy/Ukrainian Echo; Chrystyna Bidiak, President, League of Ukrainian Canadian Women (LUCW); Margareta Shpir, President, Canadian Friends of Ukraine (CFU); Lisa Shymko, Chair, Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Centre (CUPC) of the CFU; Orest Steciw and Borys Potapenko, National Executive, LUC.
In thanking Minister Van Loan for the meeting, Lisa Shymko stressed the need for the Government of Canada to re-focus its engagement with Ukraine and broaden Canada’s policy-making process to include input from Ukrainian-Canadian NGOs with a track-record of democracy-building in Ukraine. “The Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Centre established in Kyiv by the CFU with the support of the Canadian government is a good example of a successful NGO project that is self-sustaining and serving a tangible need in Ukraine,” she said.
The hour-long discussion with the Minister centered on the joint policy paper submitted by the delegation, entitled: “Canada’s Policy Options for Ukraine: Analysis and Recommendations.”
Noting recent events in Ukraine, Margareta Shpir spoke of recent human rights violations, while Chrystyna Bidiak and Orest Steciw referenced the assault on Ukraine’s historical memory and national identity, as well as threats to Ukraine’s political and economic sovereignty, national unity, and territorial integrity. Borys Potapenko addressed the subversive intrusion of the Russian government into Ukraine’s internal affairs and the need for Western democracies to remain politically engaged in Ukraine.
Citing recent correspondence to the LUC from Canada’s Foreign Minister, the Hon. Lawrence Cannon, Oleh Romanyshyn noted the Minister’s reference to the bilateral agreement between Canada and Ukraine, “Priorities for Canada-Ukraine Relations”, known as the “Road Map”. Mr. Romanyshyn stressed that “the ‘Road Map’ is founded on Canadian values and the shared aspirations of Ukrainian Canadians and Ukrainian citizens. The ‘Road Map’s’ successful implementation will require redoubling engagement efforts with Ukraine, its government and, especially, Ukrainian civic organizations, NGOs, and national democratic opposition groups.” “Western democracies cannot afford to isolate or disengage from Ukraine.” he said.
Minister Van Loan briefed the delegation on recent Canada-Ukraine foreign policy and trade issues and welcomed the opportunity to hear the concerns of Ukrainian Canadian grassroots organizations and NGOs. The Minister indicated that the Harper Government is aware of the recent actions taken by the government of Ukraine, as well as Russia, and the potential geo-political impact of these policies on the region. He re-affirmed Canada’s support for the protection of Ukraine’s democracy, economic freedom, security and territorial integrity. He further noted that enhanced NGO participation in the government’s consultative process would be facilitated and the delegation’s joint submission would be carefully reviewed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
.jpg){kind=logo}
