Canada’s Oda in Ukraine Accompanied by Ukrainian Canadians

Ottawa - Following the historical October 2010 visit to Ukraine by Canada’s Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Stephen Harper, Canada’s Minister of International Cooperation, the Hon. Beverley Oda made an official visit to Ukraine, from April 12 to 17, 2012.

Minister Oda’s visit focused on Canada’s ongoing support for Ukraine’s democratic development and economic reform. Also, the visit was an opportunity for the Ukrainian Canadian community to highlight some of the many important projects they are leading or supporting in Ukraine. Ms. Oda is also the minister responsible for the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and its economic growth initiatives help to improve the environment for businesses to get started, to expand, and create jobs. Minister Oda met with representatives of the Government of Ukraine and with economic, agricultural and civil society partners in Kyiv and in Dnipropetrovsk.

“In my meetings with the Prime Minister and his Ministers, they expressed their appreciation for Canada’s assistance in Ukraine and invited our continued investment and cooperation in the country,” said Minister Oda. “For my part, I underlined the important need for an environment that will allow for open and fair elections, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law for all Ukrainians.”

Canada remains concerned by the apparently arbitrary and politically biased nature of judicial proceedings against Ms. Tymoshenko, and other individuals, which undermine the rule of law.

A Canadian delegation travelled in Ukraine with Minister Oda, including representatives from the Ukrainian Canadian community who played an active role in her meetings with civil society groups: Taras Zalusky, Executive Director of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Taras Pidzamecky, CEO of Ukrainian Credit Union (representing the Council of Ukrainian Credit Unions of Canada) and President of the Ukrainian National Federation of Canada; and Borys Potapenko, Executive Director of the League of Ukrainian Canadians.

“This visit is very important to both Canada and Ukraine,” stated UCC’s Taras Zalusky. “With the upcoming parliamentary elections in Ukraine in October 2012, Canada is publicly demonstrating its solidarity with the people of Ukraine in support of democracy, transparency, the rule of law and a strong civil society.”

“Our work here in Ukraine rests in restoring the confidence of the people in government and financial institutions and supporting key efforts for an open, free, and democratic parliamentary election this coming October,” added Minister Oda. (Compiled with government and UCC press releases)

PHOTO

L. to R.: Taras Zalusky, Taras Pidzamecky, Borys Potapenko, Minister Beverley Oda and Canadian Ambassador in Ukraine, Troy Lulashnyk