Canada’s Minister of International Trade, Ed Fast, and Ukraine’s Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Aivaras Abromavičius, today issued the following statement during Minister Fast’s trade and development mission to Ukraine:

“Our announcement today builds on the political commitment made by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and President Petro Poroshenko during his historic visit to Canada last September to accelerate work on free trade negotiations.

“Canada has been at the forefront of the international community’s support for the Ukrainian people in their opposition to Russian aggression and the occupation of Ukraine. Canada and Ukraine have a deeply rooted historical relationship, and building a strong trade partnership is a high priority on our shared agenda.

“Therefore, we are pleased to announce that Canada and Ukraine are actively engaged in negotiations toward concluding a free trade agreement as soon as possible.

“Preparatory work is currently underway by our officials for a full round of face-to-face negotiations in Kyiv in the near future.

“The Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement will be an ambitious and comprehensive agreement creating new market opportunities and predictable conditions for businesses, strengthening the Canada-Ukraine partnership in peace and prosperity.

“In light of the recent tragic events in Mariupol, Canada stands in full solidarity with the Ukrainian people.”

http://www.international.gc.ca/media/comm/news-communiques/2015/01/26a.aspx?lang=eng