25 February 2015, 10:40
First Deputy Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Andrii Parubii paid a working visit to Canada on February 21-23, this year.
On February 21-22 in the biggest city of Canada – Toronto, he met with
leaders of Ukrainian Canadian Congress that represents interests of around 1,3 million
of persons of Ukrainian origin, as well as with the Canadian Minister of Citizenship
and Immigration, deputy Christopher Alexander; activists and volunteers who supported
protesters on Maidan and now continue supporting ATO soldiers jointly with volunteer
organizations in Ukraine. A.Parubii met also with the Speaker of the House of Commons of Canada Andrew Scheer; Minister of Foreign Affairs Robert Nicholson; Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence, deputy James Bezan; Chair of the House of Commons Committee on Foreign Affairs Dean Ellison; and leader of the friendship group in the Canadian Parliament “Ukraine-Canada” Ted Opitz in Ottawa on February 23.
In the course of the meetings, the Parties discussed the situation in
Ukraine after conclusion of Minsk agreements on ceasefire; continuous
violations of the signed documents by Russian militants; as well as threats to
the international system of security posed by the aggressive foreign policy of
the Russian Federation. The Ukrainian Party expressed deep gratitude to the Government
of Canada for unswervingly and continuously supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,
as well as our aspiration to live in peace and safety and efforts aimed at
holding deep economic and democratic reforms for the sake of Ukraine’s
European future. The Canadian Party, in its turn, confirmed its readiness to
further comprehensively support Ukraine; promote holding of wide-ranging reforms,
including that of the Armed Forces and pertaining to strengthening Ukraine’s
defense capacity; and increase pressure on the Russian Federation with a view
to raise the price it will pay for violation of generally recognized norms and
principles of international law.
At the end of his stay in Canada, A.Parubii jointly with members of the Ukrainian community paid tribute to the memory of the heavenly Hundred Heroes on the Parliament Hill in Ottawa.