Halifax, Odesa MOC for Closer Port Ties

On June 4, 2009, the signing ceremony of a Memorandum on Cooperation between the Odesa Sea Trade Port (Ukraine) and the Port of Halifax (Canada) took place in Ottawa at the Embassy of Ukraine in Canada. On behalf of the Port of Halifax, the Memorandum was signed be the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Port, Karen Oldfield.

During the occasion, the Speaker of the Senate of Canada, The Honourable Nol A. Kinsella, MP Joy Smith, and the President of the Canada-Ukraine Chamber of Commerce Zenon Potichny delivered their speeches. The Ambassador of Ukraine to Canada, Ihor Ostash, as well as the other speakers, emphasized that the signing of the Memorandum on Cooperation between the “Atlantic Gates of Canada” and “Maritime Gates of Ukraine” would promote trade and economic relations between Ukraine and Canada.

The ceremony was attended by Senator Raynell Andreychuk, MP Megan Leslie representing Halifax, chair of the Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group MP Mark Warawa, MP Peter Goldring, Director General for Europe, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Canada Robert Hage, and Nancy Phillips, Director (Investment and Trade) of the Greater Halifax Partnership and Executive Director of the Halifax Gateway Council.