UCC Welcomes Progress in Ukraine’s EU Association

Calls Upon Canada to Support Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic Integration

Ottawa, March 1, 2013 Ottawa - The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) welcomes the positive developments in EU-Ukraine relations during the EU-Ukraine Summit held in Brussels on February 25, 2013, particularly, the steps toward the ratification of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement/Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area. “We are encouraged by the statement of the President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy, that the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement may be signed by the time of the Vilnius Summit in November 2013,” stated UCC National President Paul Grod.

The interests of Ukrainians in Europe and around the world were represented at the EU-Ukraine Summit by Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) President Eugene Czolij.

“As a constituent member, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress fully endorses the UWC’s position that Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine must be a key priority for European and North American governments,” stated Paul Grod. “This includes Canada’s negotiation and signing of a Free Trade Agreement with Ukraine and enhancing mobility between Canada and Ukraine by dramatically liberalizing the visa regime for Ukrainians to visit Canada.”

Meeting prior to Minister Kenney’s trip to Ukraine,” Paul Grod asked him to address the following policy issues with senior Ukrainian government officials during his visit: Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic integration; democracy; Canada-Ukraine bilateral relations; Ukraine’s national unity; and civil society. The UCC also encouraged Minister Kenney to meet with opposition party and civil society leaders during the March 2-4 visit.