Joint Declaration on Conclusion of Negotiations for the Modernization of the Free Trade Agreement between Canada and Ukraine

April 11, 2023 – Today, we confirm the conclusion of substantive negotiations for a modernized Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement between Canada and Ukraine (CUFTA).

The original CUFTA entered into force in August 2017. Canada's Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development Mary Ng, and Ukraine's First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Yulia Svyrydenko, jointly launched negotiations to expand and modernize the CUFTA on January 27, 2022.

Substantive negotiations have resulted in a modernized CUFTA that will include dedicated new chapters on Cross-Border Trade in Services, Financial Services, Investment, Temporary Entry for Business Persons, Telecommunications, Trade and Gender, Trade and Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Trade and Indigenous Peoples and Good Regulatory Practices. The new agreement will also include updated chapters on Digital Trade, Rules of Origin and Origin Procedures, Competition Policy, Monopolies and State Enterprises, Government Procurement, Environment, Labour, Development and Administration of Measures, and Transparency, Anti-Corruption and Responsible Business Conduct.

A modernized CUFTA marks an important milestone in the Canadian-Ukrainian relationship, and will support our commercial relationship for years to come, for the benefit of our respective workers, consumers, businesses and entrepreneurs.

In order to bring the Agreement into force, we commit to complete our respective domestic procedures necessary for formal signature and ratification as soon as possible.

Related link

Canada-Ukraine FTA Modernization: Summary of Negotiated Outcomes