MP Bernard Trottier Participates in OSCE Conference, Georgia 

Canadian Parliamentarians Discuss Upcoming Elections with Ukrainian Counterparts

Batumi, Georgia, May 14, 2012 - Five Canadian parliamentarians met with the Ukrainian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). The meetings took place during the economic conference held May 12 to 14, 2012, in Batumi, Republic of Georgia.

The opening address was given by H.E. Mikheil Saakashvili, President of Georgia, when he stressed the progress Georgia has made since the Rose Revolution of 2003, despite the difficulties in the Russian-occupied provinces of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. “Georgia is now considered one of the safest and least corrupt countries in all of Europe”, said Saakashvili. This has led to an economy based on customer service, innovation, competition and meritocracy. Saakashvili also welcomed the intervention of election observers from across OSCE countries in Georgia’s upcoming October parliamentary election. Even though Saakashvili is convinced the Georgian elections will be free and fair, as in the past, election observers are critical, lest Georgia’s opponents contest the results and use that as an excuse to undermine Georgian democracy.

During the conference, the Canadian delegation arranged a side meeting with their counterparts from Ukraine to discuss bilateral issues. The Canadian delegation was comprised of Sen. Consiglio Di Nino (Ontario), Head of Delegation, MP Bernard Trottier (Etobicoke-Lakeshore), MP Terence Young (Oakville), Sen. Percy Downe (PEI), and MP Massimo Paccetti (St-Leonard). The Ukrainian cross-party delegation comprised Members of the Verkhovna Rada: Serhiy Shevchuk, Head of Delegation, Lev Biriuk, Yuriy Lytvyn, Volodymyr Nakonechnyi, Maryna Perestenko and Oleksandr Stoian. MP Trottier reiterated Canada’s commitment to provide election monitors for October’s parliamentary election in Ukraine, and the Ukrainians agreed they would be welcomed and helpful. The Ukrainian delegation was divided between government and opposition members. When Sen. Di Nino raised the issue of Yulia Tymoshenko’s incarceration, there was animated disagreement amongst the Ukrainian delegation about whether this was legal and justified.

In the give and take of the bilateral meeting, the Ukrainians inquired about Canadian national unity and the Quebec question. The Canadians conveyed that the situation is more or less calm for the time being, but it remains an ongoing issue of concern for all Canadians.

 PHOTO

L. to R.: MP Bernard Trottier and Serhiy Shevchuk, Head of Ukrainian Delegation