Department of Justice

CANADA SIGNS TREATY WITH UKRAINE FOR MUTUAL ASSISTANCE IN CRIMINAL MATTERS AND UNDERSTANDING IN PRINCIPLE ON COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF JUSTICE

OTTAWA, September 23, 1996 -- The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Allan Rock, and the Minister of Justice of Ukraine, Serhiy Holovaty, today signed a treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in criminal matters. This Treaty will improve the effectiveness of both countries in the investigation and prosecution of crime by providing the legal basis for authorities in one country to locate and gather evidence for criminal investigations at the request of the authorities of the other.

Canada has now signed a number of these agreements with other states, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and France. The creation of an international network of Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties is an important step in the fight against organized and transnational crime.

The two Ministers also signed an Understanding in Principle on cooperation in the field of justice. With this understanding, the Department of Justice Canada and the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine agree to offer each other the widest measure of mutual assistance in promoting a better knowledge of their respective systems of justice. More specifically, the two organizations are committed to sharing their expertise on issues such as legislative drafting and organization of a ministry of justice .

Ukraine's system of justice is being transformed to support the transition to democracy and a market economy. Minister Holovaty is visiting Canada to seek advice, gather information and obtain support for justice reform in Ukraine.

Stressing the special dimension of the relationship between Canada and Ukraine, Minister Rock said that he was pleased to sign these two agreements, and expressed the hope that they would contribute to the further development of good relations betw een Canada and Ukraine.

Ref.: William Corbett        Media Relations Office
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