Daniel CARON: “The events of 2004 really put Ukraine on the map.”
1. Please, tell, what kind of Ukraine have you discovered?
“Just before Kiev I was posted in Mexico as the deputy head of the mission with my family. And I was reading a lot about Ukraine in The Economist and Financial Times. I read a lot because of my interest in this region.
“But I didn’t read a lot about the geography and society, I was more looking at the security agenda, economic importance, regional security, relations with Russia, economical and political situation, of course.
“When we first arrived here, my family and I last August, on August 18 ( I even remember the date) it was something about 40 degrees, or 45 degrees, very hot. We walked in the city and we were very surprised to feel like home because of the Dnipro River, it’s like the St. Lawrence River, and I come from the city close to the St. Lawrence. The people resemble Canadians very much. So we felt very comfortable on first three days.
“Of course, the language is a bit of a barrier, but we are working on it. There are so many links between Ukraine and Canada which I didn’t realize before coming here. Of course, you have to be very careful, because the history of Canada is very different. But there are many common things that I didn’t know about. For example, I didn’t know that Ukraine is such a multicultural society.
“I have recently visited the Crimea and participated in the World Tatar Conference. I visited a few places where I realized that Ukraine is not a monolithic country, and there are many differences when you travel from one region to another, like in Canada. In Canada we have Newfoundland. It joined Canada in 1949, which is very recent. It is very different from, for example, Quebec and British Columbia. You have huge regional differences.
“Ukraine is a huge country as well as Canada. There are a lot of similarities in terms of geography and people. And then little by little I discovered that we also share a lot of values. The Orange Revolution really put Ukraine on the map, I should say. We knew about the importance of the democratic values, aspirations of Ukraine. But I realize that we share a lot of human rights, gender equality, which is very important. And these are the things that I have been discovering since I have come here.”
2. Name, please, three reasons to love Ukraine.
“It is always difficult to answer such questions. We feel comfortable in this country. My family and I, we feel safe. We feel good, so we don’t have any fears. This is very good when you are a family, your children go to school, and you walk in the streets, this is very good on the personal front.
“The second is that I have an impression that we are in a country that is experiencing a very important moment. This country is very important for Canada, not only because of the Diaspora, or because of the Canadian Ukrainian community. For our relations with Europe and Russia are very important for Canada. So being an ambassador to such an important country for my country, I know that I am read when I write reports about Ukraine.
“Two ministers have already come in the last few months, and new visitors are coming soon, and I am talking not only about politicians, but also about very important companies. Many Canadian investors are looking at Ukraine, because there is a great potential here. What can I ask more as an ambassador? In Ukraine there is a great sympathy for Canada. I feel it. When I go somewhere, when I ask for meetings, we have a good access. This is very important personally and professionally.
“The third reason is that we are discovering a very rich culture. Maybe I should have been more aware of it before coming, because we have so large and important Ukrainian community in Canada. I discover different songs, music, dances. When you look from afar it looks all the same, but when you are here, you see the differences between the regions. This is a very rich history and a very rich culture.”
