PARSIPPANY, N.J. – President Petro Poroshenko on September 24 announced the appointment of Andriy Shevchenko as ambassador of Ukraine to Canada.
Mr. Shevchenko is known in Ukraine as a TV journalist, politician and civic activist. In Canada, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) welcomed Mr. Shevchenko’s appointment.
“We congratulate President Poroshenko for appointing such a strong and professional voice for Ukraine in Canada,” stated UCC National President Paul Grod. “Given the significant relationship between our two countries and the serious ongoing issues in Ukraine, including the illegal occupation of Crimea by the Russian Federation and the ongoing invasion of Luhansk and Donetsk by the Russian armed forces, it is very important for Ukraine to have a very capable representation at its embassy in Ottawa. I have known Andriy Shevchenko for many years in his capacity as a journalist, legislator and civic activist and am confident that he will exercise his functions professionally and capably.”
At a meeting with Mr. Shevchenko, President Poroshenko underlined the strategic importance of the ambassador’s tasks in the country where “the Ukrainian factor plays the biggest role outside our country.”
Mr. Poroshenko said: “I am confident that your enthusiasm, political experience and willingness to work will create a powerful basis for the further efficient improvement of our relations.” He emphasized that relations between Ukraine and Canada are at a very high level of mutual trust and support.
He noted that Canada had been one of the first countries to provide immediate military-technical assistance to Ukraine in reaction to Russian aggression. According to President Poroshenko, Canada is one of the strongest and most reliable advocates and partners of Ukraine in the world.
Ambassador Shevchenko assured the president that he fully understands the responsibility of his new mission. He also outlined the main priorities of his work: political support that will guarantee Canada’s further leadership in the international coalition aimed to assist Ukraine, military-technical cooperation and a free trade area that requires real investment projects.
Upon his arrival in Canada, Ambassador Shevchenko will present his credentials to Governor General David Johnston and will then take on his official duties as head of mission. Credentials are the official documents by which new heads of diplomatic missions are presented by their head of state as their official representative.
UCC President Grod commented: “I would like to congratulate Ambassador Shevchenko on his appointment and look forward to working with him to further the strong relationship that exists between Ukraine and Canada and with the Ukrainian Canadian community. There are a number of significant initiatives that we will need to work on, including the ratification and implementation of the Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement, strengthening the defense of Ukraine’s independence and sovereignty, negotiating a Canada-Ukraine Defense Cooperation Agreement, ensuring Ukraine is included in Canada’s Automatic Firearms Country Controls List, assisting in Ukraine’s continued democratic development, and strengthening ties with the Ukrainian community in Canada.”
Sources: UCC, Presidential Administration of Ukraine