Ukrainian-Canadian relations cited as model (06/09/96)

Ukrainian-Canadian relations cited as model

by Christopher Guly

OTTAWA - Canada's relationship with Ukraine should be a model for other countries, Ukraine's ambassador to Canada told a Ukrainian Canadian Professional and Business Association (UCPBA) of Ottawa audience.

Volodymyr Furkalo, who was named Ukraine's third ambassador to Canada earlier this year, was the keynote speaker at the Ottawa UCPBA's second annual awards dinner on May 29.

The ambassador applauded the Canadian government's support for Ukraine since it declared independence five years ago this summer. He said Ukrainian exports to Canada had increased by five times between 1994 and 1995, while Canadian exports to Ukraine had doubled during the same period.

Current Canadian-Ukrainian trade represents a $117.4 billion (U.S.) industry, said Ambassador Furkalo. However, he suggested Canada could still improve its trading relationship with its East European partner. "Canada is the fifth largest G-7 country in trading with Ukraine, behind Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom and Italy. But to be honest with you, I am less than satisfied with that."

Mr. Furkalo, who holds a doctorate in international law from the Moscow State Institute for International Relations, told the Ukrainian Canadian business audience Ukraine has improved its economic climate for foreign investors. "Investor safety is now the law of the Ukrainian government," he explained, adding that Ukraine and Canada have also signed a bilateral investment agreement.

Canadian International Trade Minister Art Eggleton has been lobbying for Ukraine's permanent membership in the World Trade Organization and plans to lead a business delegation to Ukraine later this year.

The ambassador said Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien and Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy were also expected to visit Ukraine sometime this year.

Speaking on behalf of Mr. Chretien, Winnipeg Liberal member of Parliament Rey Pagtakhan, who serves as parliamentary secretary to the prime minister, reminded the audience of the federal government's multi-million dollar technical and humanitarian assistance projects in Ukraine. "With human steel hands we have forged an international friendship," he said.

However, former federal Liberal Agriculture Minister Eugene Whelan, who now heads an Ottawa-based international agricultural consulting firm, chided the recent influx of international experts to Ukraine. "[Ukraine] has 40 percent of the world's richest black earth," said Mr. Whelan, who spent seven weeks in Ukraine last fall. "They can be feeding people in the Middle East and most of Europe. Instead, we are sending people over there to teach them how to dance or how to reform their political system. But you can't be a dancer, artist, politician or even an ambassador if you don't have any food."

Earlier in the evening, the UCPBA of Ottawa honored two of its long-time members.

Vice-President Ron Sorobey was named Member of the Year. A former Winnipegger, Mr. Sorobey has been instrumental in raising awareness - through numerous special events and setting up plaques - in honor of Filip Konowal, the only Ukrainian Canadian to receive the Victoria Cross for war-time heroism. In fact, Mr. Sorobey also convinced the association to name its life achievement award in honor of that World War I veteran.

This year, veteran Ukrainian Canadian activist Julia Woychyshyn - who has led several organizations, including the Ukrainian Canadian Congress' Ottawa branch and the Canadian Friends of Ukraine - became the second recipient of the award. In accepting the citation, Mrs. Woychyshyn said her work in the community has been "a labor of love."

Last year, Irena Bell, former president of the Ottawa UCPBA, received the first Filip Konowal VC Lifetime Achievement Award.

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