During his visit to Canada, Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine - Chief of Staff Mr. Vadym Prystaiko attended the 25th Triannual Ukrainian Canadian Congress.

During this year's event, which took place in Regina (Saskatchewan) from 30 September to 1 October, Mr. Prystaiko met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada Hon. Stephane Dion, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Hon. Ralph Goodale and Minister of International Trade Hon. Chrystia Freeland.

The Deputy Minister addressed to the leaders of Ukrainian diaspora in Canada and informed them about the situation in Eastern Ukraine, particularly in the context of the implementation of the Minsk agreement and the cooperation of our country with international partners, including Canada in the context of countering Russian aggression and overcoming its devastating effects.

Mr.Prystayko and Ambassador of Ukraine Andriy Shevchenko visited RCMP Police Academy where they got acquainted with the institution’s work and discussed prospects of deepening cooperation in the establishment of the Police Academy in Ukraine, as well as training courses for National Police of Ukraine.

During his visit to Ottawa, V.Prystaiko held a series of meetings with members of the Canadian Parliament, including the Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development R.Nault and Chair of the Committee on National Defense S.Fuhr. They discussed the need for continued pressure on Russia, maintaining or strengthening existing sanctions until Russia brings to end its aggression against Ukraine.

Mr. Prystaiko also conducted fruitful talks with high-level officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Canada, notably Mrs.  Alexandra Bugailiskis, Assistant Deputy Minister for Europe, Middle East and Maghreb and Mr. Mark Gwozdecky, Assistant Deputy Minister for International Security and Political Affairs .

In addition, Mr. Prystaiko presented a special briefing for the staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Canada, Department of National Defense and other interested government agencies on the situation in Ukraine, the Minsk process, possible ways of resolving the conflict and reforms in our country. At the briefing it was stressed on the continued need to consolidate the efforts of the international community for further assistance to Ukraine, strengthening its defense capabilities, and support for its democratictransformations.

On October 4 Mr. Prystaiko delivered the speech at Carleton University on the topic "Ukraine under attack: Minsk process, International Support and Modernization".

During the visit V.Prystayko gave an interview for the Canadian newspaper «The Globe and Mail» http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/urkaine-warns-canada-not-to-trust-russian-co- operation-over-arctic / article32225188 / , and also spoke at the "Power and Politics" TV show on CBC, Canada's leading information broadcaster http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/ukraine-sends-warning-over-canada-russia-cooperation-in-arctic-1.3791575 .