Jean CHRETIEN:"Economic reformsare of vital importancefor investments" 

On the eve of the visit he was kind enough to grant an interview to The Day on how he views the current status and future perspectives of Ukrainian-Canadian relations.

Q.: Mr. Prime Minister, why was the projected visit of the Grand Trade Mission replaced by your official state visit? Does it mean a lack of Canadian trust in Ukraine?

A.: No, Canada places a high priority on its relations with Ukraine and I think my visit highlights the importance that we in Canada place on this relationship. We want to work on strengthening our economic partnership. This visit is consistent with our original objectives to help Canadian companies in Ukraine to take advantage of long-term prospects, while encouraging economic, political, and social reforms in your country.

We believe there is a great deal of potential and Canada looks forward to an increasingly close and productive relationship with Ukraine. That goal will be further assisted by continuing progress along the path of reforms.

Q.: Kyiv greatly appreciates the fact that Ottawa was the first Western state to recognize Ukraine's independence and sees it as a symbol of special trust. Perhaps Canada, a country with a large Ukrainian Diaspora, unlike many other countries, was aware of Ukraine even during Soviet times? What do you think both Kyiv and Ottawa could do to make the relations between the two countries even closer?

A.: Canada was very aware indeed of Ukraine during Soviet times, thanks to its million citizens of Ukrainian descent, who maintain a strong interest in the country of their ancestors. They have helped to sensitize Canadians to the value of good political and commercial ties with Ukraine.

As for closer relations, on the economic front, a key factor in improving relations with our two countries will be continuing market reforms. So far, progress on economic transformation has been less than we might have hoped for. The conditions in Ukraine for foreign and domestic investors are far from ideal. As countries open up to foreign trade and investment, transparency of economic reforms is vital to the growth of future investments.

Politically, Canada looks forward to further dialogue and cooperation with Ukraine on key international issues such as protecting human rights, sustainable development, and the removal of anti-personnel mines. Cooperation on these issues will further develop our relationship and allow us to work together in the interests of global peace and security.

Q.: A program document of the Canadian International Development Agency says: "the continuing success of Ukraine depends on its own actions". Could you name Ukraine's recent achievements, those that it can be proud of, from the point of view of the West?

A: Canada recognizes - and is favourably impressed - by Ukraine's emergence from a very difficult historical legacy and its achievements in consolidating its independence and nationhood. Many important steps have been taken in the development of Ukraine's democracy: a new constitution has been adopted and free elections have taken place, to name but two.

We realize that Ukraine will need to undertake more reforms if this democratic evolution is to come to full fruition and Canada consistently voices our support for the reform efforts in Ukraine.

Q.: Canadian Minister for International Cooperation and Minister responsible for the Francophone issues, Diane Marleau, during her visit to Kyiv last March said: "It is impossible to render assistance if everything is done to make it impossible to do so." Does Canada often come across such problems during talks with Ukrainian leaders?

A.: The Minister was referring to the difficulties in Ukraine's moving forward with economic reform. We are particularly worried by the slow pace of economic reform. Once reform is well underway, international assistance and national and foreign investment will materialize.

For example, the lack of an enabling environment for business remains the largest obstacle to private sector development with the result that the majority of economic activity is connected with the informal economy. Donors are encouraging Ukraine to undertake tax reform and other concrete measures to make the private sector more viable.

There has been significant privatization, as well as trade liberalization, but more needs to be done to support entrepreneurship. For example, credit is difficult to access for small and medium-sized entrepreneurs although efforts are being made to make additional funds available in this area.

Q.: Do Canadian Ukrainians truly play an important role in the political and economic life of your country? Who in Canada could Ukrainians in Ukraine be proud of among their ethnic brothers?

A.: There are many famous Canadians of Ukrainian descent who have made a remarkable contribution to Canada. Notable in the arts are: sculptor Leo Mol; the late painter William Kurelek; painter Peter Shostak; Theatre Director Taras Shipowick; Walter Klymkiw, Conductor of the Winnipeg Choir; and best-selling author Myrna Kostash.

In the area of government service, we find the late J. B. Rudnyckij, member of the Bilingualism & Biculturalisn Commission; the late constitutional lawyer Walter Tarnopolski; the late Supreme Court Justice John Sopinka; former Governor General Ray Hnatyshyn; the late Senator Paul Yuzyk; and former Deputy Prime Minister Don Mazankowski.

At least five Members of Parliament in the present House of Commons are of Ukrainian descent: Wait Lastewka, Lou Sekora, John Soloman, Judy Wasylycia-Leis and Jim Pankiw. The Canadian Senate also includes A. Raynell Andreychuk and David Tkachuk, who are of Ukrainian descent.

Q.: The proportion of recent immigrants from Ukraine to Canada is significantly lower than the percentage of Canadian Ukrainians in the population of your country. Does it mean that Ottawa sees Ukrainians at large as less acceptable than representatives of other countries? Does it have any connection to the so-called "Russian Mafia"? What are the main points of the new Canadian immigration law which is to be issued soon? Is it really impossible to make the existing visa regime between our two countries more liberal?

A.: Canada's immigration policy is universal in nature. This means that there is no quota or restriction on the number of immigrants of any nationality accepted by Canada. All applicants of all nationalities are assessed against the same criteria, and those who qualify are issued visas.

The number of visas issued has no relation to the number of Ukrainian-Canadians in Canada, or to any alleged Russian Mafia. Applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis, and only the qualifications and admissibility of the individual applicants have any bearing on the application's acceptance or refusal. In fact, the number of immigrant visas issued to Ukrainian citizens has more than doubled over the past five years, from 1135 in 1994 to over 2400 in 1998.

At this time, there is no consideration being given to waiving the visitor visa requirement for Ukrainian citizens.

Q.: There are certain similarities between the problems of the Crimea in Ukraine and Quebec in Canada. Do you think that the Canadian experience in this issue could be useful for Ukraine and vice versa?

A.: Superficially there may seem to be similarities between the situation of Quebec in Canada and of Crimea in Ukraine. However, closer comparison reveals that there are major historical, legal and constitutional differences between the two cases. Every situation is unique and solutions are also unique. Canada is, however, willing to share its experience in managing diversity with countries that are interested.