Canada, Ukraine seek closer bilateral ties

TORONTO: Canada and Ukraine on Friday affirmed a joint commitment to strengthening bilateral relations.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko issued a joint statement during the latter's one-day working visit to Canada, promising to seek strong and enduring ties between the two countries.

"We are committed to working closely together to ensure that Canadians and Ukrainians alike can take advantage of the benefits of CUFTA (the Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement) as soon as possible," said the statement.

Canada promised to "continue to support Ukraine's progress towards Euro- Atlantic integration and to adopt and implement NATO (the North Atlantic Treaty Organization) standards through its ambitious agenda of reforms," the statement said.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Canada and Ukraine. Canada was the first Western nation to recognize Ukraine's independence.