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August 24, 2009-Kyiv, Ukraine.
Dear friends,
I am pleased to extend my warmest greetings to the Ukrainian Canadian community and the Ukrainian people around the world on this the 18th anniversary of Ukraine's independence. Having successfully concluded the recent annual general meeting of the Ukrainian World Congress in Lviv, Ukraine (August 20-21), I am celebrating Ukraine's Independence day in Kyiv together with my wife Adrianna and our four children. I am proud to share with my family the great history and rich culture of the Ukrainian people as well as their valiant struggles for sovereignty. I am encouraged by the progress Ukraine has made in these 18 years. Despite the many setbacks and continued challenges that face Ukraine's evolving democracy and economy, we must continue to be vigilant in supporting its forward and western looking focus.
Ukraine's most critical challenge today remains the interventionist politics of its eastern neighbour which threatens not only its democracy but its sovereignty. Recently the President of the Russian Federation, Dmitri Medvedev in an open letter to Ukraine's President Victor Yushchenko on August 11, once again demonstrated his government's imperialistic intentions. That same week the Russia President proposed a new law that will give Russia the legal authority to use military force in the near abroad on the pretence of protecting its citizens. Last week President Medvedev made further disparaging and aggressive remarks towards Ukraine during official meetings with Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel in Sochi Russia, who was surprisingly silent on his statements.
We are seeing a repeat of the same interference in Ukraine's presidential election process by Russia as took place during Ukraine's Orange Revolution. Unless these actions are harshly rebuked by the international community, they risk destabilizing Eastern Europe. Canada and our allies need to take immediate and meaningful steps to protect Ukraine's democracy and sovereignty.
I call upon all of you to actively encourage the Government of Canada and the international community to actively support and protect Ukraine's political and economic integrity.
Despite these threats to Ukraine, I am pleased that Canada's bilateral relations with Ukraine have progressed considerably over the past year. The Governor General's April 2009 visit, coming less than a year after President Yushchenko's equally successful May 2008 visit to Canada, has added a new impulse to the relationship as well as opened the way for a number of concrete and measurable further steps. Discussions are underway to develop a "bilateral Roadmap" and are expected to be concluded by the fall, which will include among other things a Youth Mobility Agreement to facilitate the movement of young Canadians and Ukrainians. Concrete trade and investment opportunities have also developed and will be furthered with the recent opening of the Canada Ukraine Chamber of Commerce office in Kyiv.
The Ukrainian Canadian Congress together with many of its member organizations have been working cooperatively with the Governments of Canada and Ukraine, their respective Ambassadors, and elected officials to foster a meaningful and mutually beneficial relationship between our two great nations.
Please accept my warmest wishes during these celebrations. May Ukraine and its people enjoy good fortune, peace and prosperity.
Glory to Ukraine!
Paul Grod, President
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