NEWS RELEASES

February 26, 1997 No. 37

UKRAINIAN FOREIGN MINISTER TO VISIT CANADA

Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today announced that his Ukrainian counterpart, Mr. Hennadii Udovenko, will visit Ottawa and Winnipeg, March 4-6. This will be Mr. Udovenko's second official visit to Canada as Ukrainian Foreign Minister.

"This visit will provide an opportunity for Canada to strengthen its growing relationship with Ukraine," said Mr. Axworthy. "Our close people-to-people links are a natural basis for increased bilateral and multilateral co-operation, in areas such as NATO enlargement."

While in Ottawa, March 4-5, Mr. Udovenko will meet with Governor General Roméo LeBlanc, Minister Axworthy and Minister of National Defence Doug Young. He will also attend a luncheon hosted by Speaker of the Senate, Gildas Molgat.

Mr. Udovenko will then visit Winnipeg, on March 6, accompanied by Mr. Axworthy, where the Ukrainian Foreign Minister will meet with Manitoba Premier Gary Filmon and address a joint meeting of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress.

Minister Axworthy led a business delegation to Ukraine in October 1996. Canada and Ukraine's two-way trade in 1996 totalled $53 million.

- 30 -

For further information, media representatives may contact:

Catherine Lappe

Director of Communications

Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs

(613) 995-1851

Media Relations Office

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

(613) 995-1874

This document is also available on the Department's Internet site: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca