Today we are celebrating what different nations through centuries have been standing for and championing. To become free in keeping to their own policy and building their own future. Ukrainian history is not an exception in that.

We have undergone a long and sometimes a thorny way towards the day which the world’s history knows as Ukraine’s Independence Day.  Nineteen years ago, on August 24, 1991, the Parliament of Ukraine made a historic decision when it proclaimed creation of an independent Ukrainian state within its own borders, Constitution and laws. That was a historic decision which was so much expected by millions of Ukrainians all over the world. We created a state with the roots going far back to the times of glorious Kyiv Rus’ and Cossacks. We created a state that is extremely proud of its contribution into making this world free which cannot be overestimated. The history also remembers the names of hundreds of Ukrainian scientists, physicians, engineers, sportsmen, artists who have raised Ukrainian name to the world’s top known nations. I am glad to note that this list also includes famous Canadians who have Ukrainian ancestry and are so widely known among us.

Ukraine has proudly taken its place as a genuine member of the European family that enjoys and values fundamental democratic principles that are not just written on a paper but put in life. New generation born in independent and sovereign Ukraine knows the weight of human rights and freedoms, belief, speech and thought.

Independent Ukraine in a new geopolitical environment has seen different stages of its development. But we have been mastering challenges while acquiring valuable experience. During the recent years we have significantly stepped forward democratic standards of life and freedoms and today Ukrainian leadership speaks in one voice which is so vital for any country’s stability and further development.

As other nations Ukraine has faced severe challenges caused by the world financial crisis. It’s not a secret that our economy has been heavily undermined, but it is being recovering under the State Program For Economic and Social Development. As you know the Parliament of Ukraine approved the main directions of the budgetary policy for 2011 and the next national budget will be elaborated on the basis of a new Budgetary Code.

Ukraine’s economy is recovering. After the first six months of this year the Gross Domestic Product was 6,3% bigger than for the same period in 2009. At the same time the export went up to 30,6% and import – 25,8%.

We know that much more has to be done and we are working on it. As a result of a coherent economic management international financial institutions, such as International Monetary Fund, have renewed its cooperation with Ukraine. I believe that the IMF financial assistance will become an effective instrument in bringing Ukraine back on a pace of sustainable and smart economic development.

Today Ukrainian foreign policy is aimed at ensuring pragmatic national interests with a precise outlook at its economic component. Fully understanding this, we have launched a new practical partnership with our biggest trading partner – the Russian Federation, significantly deepened our strategic dialogue with Canada’s biggest partner – the United States of America. At the same time, one of our foreign policy key fundamentals is further integration into European political, economic and legal space with a consequent membership in the European Union. Today we are negotiating free trade agreement with the EU as well as introducing visa-free regime for Ukrainian citizens. Our foreign policy understands the necessity of maintaining serious, last and mutually beneficial relations with all the interested partners.

This year, as well as it was during all the previous years, I am glad to once again salute the ongoing dialogue with Canada which became the first Western country that recognized Ukraine’s Independence. Our countries have clearly shown their dedication to further deepening strong, friendly and beneficial cooperation in the Spirit of Special Partnership which was once again fixed in the Road Map of Canada-Ukraine relations, signed by Ukrainian and Canadian Foreign Ministers in 2009.

We highly appreciate the fact that Ukraine is for Canada a key European partner as it was noted by Canada’s Foreign Minister, The Honourable Lawrence Cannon. Frankly speaking, when in 2009 we organized a state visit of Governor General of Canada the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean to Ukraine which was followed by a visit of Canada’s Minister of International Trade and two meetings of our Foreign Ministers, I was very curious about what was expecting for us in 2010. Now I can say that we didn’t stop on the achievements. The clear evidence for this is a visit of Minister of State of Foreign Affairs Peter Kent to Kyiv (to attend inauguration of President Viktor Yanukovych on February 25), a meeting between the heads of our states (April 12, 2010, Washington DC) and two meetings of our Foreign Ministers (May 3 in New York City, July 3 in Krakow). At the same time our Foreign Ministries preserved the practice of bilateral Policy and Security Consultations. We have also continued our partnership with Canadian parliamentarians and Canadian Ukrainian community. In this regard I would like to note the meeting of Ukraine-Canada Advisory Council which took place in Toronto under the auspices of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Canada.

As you could have heard on May 11, 2010 the Embassy of Ukraine in Canada and Canada Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group organized at the Parliament of Canada celebration of the 300th anniversary of the Ukrainian Constitution which drew attention of Prime Minister of Canada, The Right Honourable Stephen Harper.

I am also happy to announce that we continue working on expanding our bilateral economic relations. I am convinced that the launch in 2010 of negotiations on a free trade agreement between our countries will open doors for new projects, initiatives and contracts. Ukrainian and Canadians colleagues have already held two rounds of negotiations and the next one is expected already this fall. We very much hope that we will be able to sign this agreement already next year. This initiative became a real breakthrough in our economic relations, and of cause it was made possible due to a number of achievements among which I would like to single out a renewed practice of bilateral business forums. I am glad to note that the last forum was hosted here, in Edmonton, this summer and the next one will take place in Ukraine, in Ivano-Frankivsk region. Among recent arrangements I would like to also single out agreement between Canadian company MDA and Ukraine’s National Space Agency on creating a first Ukrainian satellite, which will help us cover European Soccer Championship that will be co-hosted in 2012 by Ukraine and Poland.

Separately I would like to stress on importance of projects of Canadian International Development Agency in Ukraine. We are glad that Ukraine further remains in the list of CIDA’s 20 priority countries. Cooperation with CIDA, which is the fourth biggest Ukrainian donor in the world, plays an important role in building democratic institutions in Ukraine, developing market economy, judicial system, improving regional governance and promoting Ukraine’s regional development, private sector etc.

But I want you to know that we are also working on a number of other endeavours with a special place of bilateral Youth Mobility Agreement among them. This agreement will make it easier for Canadian and Ukrainian youth between the ages of 18 and 35 to travel, study and work in each other’s country for up to one year. At the same time we do not leave our hopes that the Government of Canada will start with us discussions about lifting visa requirements for Ukrainian citizens as our country did it for Canada in 2005.

Our plans for the following year are as always ambitious but clearly achievable and we will continue working on their realization. But already now I can say that we will focus on a possibility of a visit of the Prime Minister of Canada to Ukraine. We will do our best in developing legal base of Ukraine-Canada relations and of cause in finishing negotiations on a free trade agreement.

As you know in 2011 we will mark 120 years since first Ukrainians settled in Canada. I would like to note that this event will get a particular attention of the Embassy of Ukraine in Canada which is working on bringing it to officially intergovernmental level as well as celebrate it together with Canadian Parliament, Government and Canadian Ukrainians.

Today I am glad to render you a message from Minister of Foreign Affairs Kostyantyn Gryshchenko where he says that this day with respect and gratitude we remember the fact that Ukrainian communities abroad during long decades have been standing for Ukraine’s Independence. Sovereign and democratic Ukraine also resulted from your efforts which were filled with belief, sense of purpose and persistence.

I would like to note with pleasure that celebrating 19 years of its Independence Ukraine is looking at its future with a great sense of confidence and strongly believes that its further progressive development will become a guarantee for peace, happiness and welfare for Ukrainians all over the world.