Press Release

Ukrainian Delegation Returns from UN General Assembly's Session

October 2, 1999

Official Kyiv is "carefully optimistic" about Ukraine's chances of being elected as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2000-2001 period. According to Ukraine's Foreign Minister Borys Tarasiuk, the basis for such optimism were the results of the two-day work performed by the Ukrainian delegation to the Fifty-Fourth Session of the United Nations General Assembly. According to Mr. Tarasiuk, the delegation's activities in New York were aimed at achieving this goal. Among other things, Mr. Tarasiuk met with his counterparts from almost 80 countries. The Ukrainian foreign minister said that work aimed at securing Ukraine's election will continue until October 14, when the election is scheduled to be held.

Summarizing the result of the delegation's participation in the General Assembly's session, Mr. Tarasiuk said that "the overwhelming majority of the 20 countries in the Eastern European group" expressed support for Ukraine's candidacy. Ukraine is seeking election from this group. Mr. Tarasiuk noted that Slovakia is also actively seeking support for its bid for election from this group. He stressed that Ukraine applied for election into the Security Council as far back as 1986 while Slovakia applied only in 1996. Mr. Tarasiuk stressed the importance of Ukraine's non-permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council. According to him, it is an honor to represent not only the national interests of the regional group but also that of the overwhelming majority of the world community.

For more information, please contact:
Taras Malyshevskyi, Press Secretary of the Embassy,
310 Somerset Street West, Ottawa, ON K2P 0J9
Tel. (613) 230-2961, fax (613) 230-2400,
E-mail: ukremb@cyberus.ca