On August 24, 2010 Her Excellency Michaёlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, extended the best wishes to His Excellency Viktor Yanukovych, President of Ukraine, and to the citizens of Ukraine on the occasion of Ukraine’s Independence Day:

Excellency,

On behalf of all Canadians, I extend my best wishes to you and to the citizens of Ukraine on the occasion of your country’s Independence Day.

Close ties between Canada and Ukraine took root in the 19th century with the first of what would be many waves of Ukrainian immigrants. Our relations have since developed into a multi-faceted special partnership, encompassing a broad range of bilateral contacts in several spheres. Today, our countries co-operate on many foreign policy, multilateral and international security matters.

From the very beginning, Canada has strongly supported a democratic Ukraine, built on the foundation of human rights and the rule of law.

I wish you success as you face the opportunities and challenges of the coming year.

Yours sincerely,

Michaёlle Jean