15 April 2009
Ottawa, Ontario
Governor General Michaëlle Jean will conduct State visits to Ukraine, from April 23 to 26, and to the Kingdom of Norway, from April 28 to 30, 2009. She will be accompanied by her husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, and a small delegation of Canadians.
Their Excellencies will follow a program of events designed to strengthen the ties Canada has with the two countries. They will meet with heads of state and government in both countries and will take part in cultural events, discussions and meetings with academics, students, artists and business people, among others. Civic engagement, youth, culture and diversity will be important themes of the visits.
As the first Western country to recognize Ukrainian independence in 1991, and as home to more than one million Ukrainian-Canadians, Canada enjoys a special partnership with Ukraine, a key European partner.
The visit to Norway will build on our countries’ existing cooperation by giving new impetus to initiatives in areas such as education and research, youth engagement, and the environment.
State visits by the Governor General play an important role in promoting Canada’s interests and in projecting a positive image of contemporary Canada and Canadian values.
For more information on the state visit to Ukraine and Norway, including the full itinerary, please see www.gg.ca/menu_e.asp.
