On August 24, 2010 His Excellency Noёl A. Kinsella, Speaker of the Senate, and His Excellency Peter Milliken, Speaker of the House of Commons of Parliament of Canada extended the best wishes to His Excellency Volodymyr Lytvyn, Speaker of Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, and to the people of Ukraine on the occasion of Ukraine’s Independence Day:

Dear Mr. Speaker:

It is our distinct pleasure to extend the best wishes of the Parliament of Canada as you and the people of Ukraine celebrate your Independence Day.

As presiding officers, we encourage strongly all avenues for parliamentary cooperation and exchanges. Accordingly, we look forward to opportunities to share ideas and experiences that will enhance the good relations between our two countries.

We are pleased that Speaker Milliken was able to visit Kyiv in September 2009 and would be pleased to welcome you for a future return visit in Ottawa.

On this important day, please accept the assurances of our highest consideration and our continued desire for prosperity and peace to you and your people.

Yours sincerely,