Statement by Minister MacKay on the situation in Ukraine

April 4, 2007 -- The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, today [April 3] issued the following statement in response to President Yushchenko ordering the dissolution of Ukraine’s parliament:

“Canada is concerned about the current political crisis in Ukraine, and is urging the political leaders to safeguard the progress they have achieved in the last few years. It is important to respect the Ukrainian people's demands for democracy and good governance. Canada calls on Ukraine to settle their current differences through compromise and negotiation.

“Canada enjoys a special relationship with Ukraine. Both the Canadian government and the Ukrainian-Canadian community have encouraged political and economic reforms since the country’s independence. We attach great importance to achieving further progress, and will encourage attempts to regain the momentum of democratic reform evoked by the Orange Revolution.”

April 3, 2007 (8:15 p.m. EDT)
No. 55

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http://w01.international.gc.ca/MinPub/Publication.asp?Language=E&publication_id=385039&docnumber=55