CHELSEA, QUE.—Canada has reached a trade agreement with Ukraine that Prime Minister Stephen Harper says will help Ukraine build its economy and establish greater ties with the West.


The deal, which needs parliamentary approval, would eventually see a near-elimination of duties on goods coming into Canada from Ukraine.


And it comes as the government of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko grapples with a populist move to water down economic changes demanded by the International Monetary Fund.


Harper announced the free trade agreement as he met Tuesday with Ukraine’s prime minister, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, making clear that the deal was not just about creating jobs, but also a signal of Canada’s continued commitment to aid Ukraine in its fight against Russian-backed aggression in eastern Ukraine.


“This is increasing economic opportunity for Canadians and Ukrainians,” Harper said as he stood alongside Yatsenyuk at a government conference centre that overlooks picturesque Meech Lake in Chelsea, Que.

“It’s also, I think, a step towards helping Ukrainians realize the future that they want,” Harper added. “Ukrainians do not want a future based on oppression and a Soviet past. The Ukrainian people want a western future, a future of prosperity.”

“You, together with our international friends and partners, you are the flagship in supporting Ukraine in our quest and fight against the Russian-led terrorists,” Yatsenyuk said before the two men shook hands.

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2015/07/14/trade-deal-between-canada-ukraine-said-pending.html