Prime Minister of Ukraine to visit Canada

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien today announced that Ukrainian Prime Minister Pavlo Lazarenko will visit Canada from June 12 to 16. Prime Minister Lazarenko will be accompanied by the Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine Mykhailo Zubets and other senior ministers.

"It is a pleasure to welcome Prime Minister Lazarenko to Canada. This visit will allow Canada and Ukraine to enhance cooperation in areas of mutual interest such as Euro- Atlantic security and greater bilateral trade and investment," said Prime Minister Chrétien.

Mr. Lazarenko's visit coincides with the second meeting of the Intergovernmental Economic Commission (IEC) on June 15 in Calgary. As the centerpiece of the Canada- Ukraine Economic Cooperation Agreement, the IEC encourages business and trade cooperation between the two countries.

The visit also coincides with the Canadian-Ukraine Business Initiative (CUBI '97), a private sector conference being held in Calgary on June 16. Up to 200 Canadian and Ukrainian business people are expected to participate. Associated promotional events will follow in Edmonton (oil and gas), Regina (agriculture) and Winnipeg (construction and building products).

In Ottawa, Prime Minister Lazarenko will meet with Prime Minister Chrétien. From Ottawa, he travels to Winnipeg where he will meet with Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy and then to Calgary to participate in the IEC and CUBI '97. Vice Prime Minister Zubets will continue on to Regina on June 17 and to Prince Edward Island on June 18 to follow up on business opportunities generated during the visit.

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