NEWS RELEASES

June 14, 1997 No. 104

CANADA AND UKRAINE CONCLUDE

AIR TRANSPORT AGREEMENT

Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy and Transport Minister David Collenette today announced the conclusion of a new Air Transport Agreement between Canada and Ukraine. The announcement was made in Winnipeg during the visit of Ukrainian Prime Minister Pavlo Lazarenko.

"This agreement is a positive further development in Canada's overall bilateral relations with Ukraine," said Mr. Axworthy. "The new air service will reinforce family ties, favour cultural exchanges, and contribute to growth in trade and tourism."

"Canada welcomes the air service opportunities that the new agreement provides for airlines and communities, particularly Toronto, which is the major Canadian air transport market for Ukraine" said Mr. Collenette. "The successful conclusion of this agreement will permit, for the first time, scheduled air services to be operated between Canada and Ukraine."

Under the agreement, both sides established the operational and commercial flexibility needed for both Ukrainian airlines and Air Canada to fully serve this small but expanding air travel market.

As a direct result of this agreement, Ukrainian airlines will operate scheduled flights to Toronto with an option to operate flights to a second Canadian city. Air Canada plans to serve the market in co-operation with its alliance partner in Europe. The agreement takes effect immediately.

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

Catherine Lappe

Director of Communications

Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs

(613) 995-1851

or:

Larry LaFleur

Deputy Director, International Air Policy

Transport Canada

(613) 991-6432

Media Relations Office

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

(613) 995-1874

This document is also available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade's Internet site http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca