Press ReleaseAmbassador of Ukraine to Canada Volodymyr Khandogiy Signs Convention on Landmines Prohibition and Destruction on behalf of UkraineFebruary 24, 1999Today, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to Canada Volodymyr D. Khandogiy signed on behalf of Ukraine the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Landmines and on Their Destruction. As of now, the Convention has been signed by 132 nations and ratified by 65. The decision of the Government of Ukraine to sign this landmark international document, known as the Ottawa Convention, once again demonstrated the orientation of Ukraine's foreign policy towards the global peace processes and confirmed the country's dedication to the ideals of security and human development as the highest values in the world politics. This decision was also made possible due to the agreement reached by the Ukrainian and Canadian sides during the official visit to Ukraine of Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien in January 1999 and reflected in the Memorandum on cooperation between the two Governments towards destruction of anti-personnel landmine stockpiles in Ukraine. The initiator and chief advocate of the global movement of states and NGO's aimed at curbing the indiscriminate use of these inhumane weapons and finally eradicating them, known as the Ottawa process, Canada took the obligation to assist Ukraine in destroying the landmines inherited by it with the collapse of the former Soviet Union. For more information, please contact:
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