Bound by strong people-to-people ties, Canada and Ukraine are partners in peace and prosperity
July 11, 2014 - Kyiv, Ukraine - Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade, today concluded a three-day trade and development mission to Ukraine that built on the strong Canada-Ukraine people-to-people ties, explored further deeper economic cooperation and created opportunities for Canada-Ukrainian partnerships.
The trade and development mission reinforces Canada’s commitment to and support for Ukraine’s goals of freedom, democracy, peace and prosperity, through trade, investment and growth.
During his mission, Minister Fast met Pavlo Sheremeta, Ukraine’s Minister of Economic Development and Trade; Yury Prodan, Minister of Energy and Coal; Ihor Shvaika, Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food; and Serhiy Kvit, Minister of Education and Science, as well as members of the business community and education sector, advancing Canada as a strategic and supportive partner for Ukraine in energy, mining, education, aerospace, agriculture and agri-food.
Minister Fast announced Canadian support, worth $19.6 million from 2014 to 2021, to projects that will train horticultural farmers to improve agricultural practices and increase access to financing and new markets.
During their meeting, Minister Fast and Minister Sheremeta discussed ways to advance the Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement negotiations and will continue exploring whether the conditions are right to proceed. Minister Fast also announced $100,000 to support Ukraine’s Economic Advisory Council, headed by Oleh Havrylyshyn of the Munk Centre at the University of Toronto and Basil Kalymon of the Richard Ivey Business School at Western University.
Minister Fast was joined on his trade and development mission by members of Parliament James Bezan, Ted Opitz and Mark Warawa, along with nine Canadian-Ukrainian community and business representatives who share the goal of greater trade and improved social and economic conditions in Ukraine.
Canada has been steadfast in its support for the new Ukrainian government and in its opposition to Russian aggression in Ukraine. Ukraine has been identified as a priority country under Canada’s recently released Global Markets Action Plan, as well as a development country of focus under Canada’s Aid Effectiveness Agenda.
Shannon Gutoskie
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Ed Fast
Minister of International Trade
613-992-7332
Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
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