Text of the 2017 Canada–Ukraine Free Trade Agreement – Preamble

Canada and Ukraine , hereinafter referred to as “the Parties”, resolved to:

Strengthen the special bonds of friendship and cooperation between their peoples;

Contribute to the harmonious development and expansion of world and regional trade and to provide a catalyst to broader international cooperation;

Build on their respective rights and obligations under the wto agreement and other multilateral and bilateral instruments of cooperation;

Create an expanded and secure market for the goods and services produced in their territories, as well as promote new employment opportunities and improved working conditions and living standards in their respective territories;

Reduce distortions to trade;

Establish clear, transparent and mutually advantageous rules to govern their trade;

Ensure a predictable commercial framework for business planning and investment;

Enhance the competitiveness of their firms in global markets;

Undertake each of the preceding in a manner that is consistent with environmental protection and conservation;

Enhance and enforce environmental laws and regulations, and strengthen cooperation on environmental matters;

Protect, enhance and enforce basic workers' rights, and strengthen cooperation on labour matters and build on their respective international commitments on labour matters;

Promote sustainable development;

Encourage enterprises operating within their territory or subject to their jurisdiction to respect internationally recognized corporate social responsibility standards and principles and pursue best practices;

Promote broad-based economic development in order to reduce poverty;

Preserve their flexibility to safeguard the public welfare;
and

Recalling the Agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of Ukraine for the promotion and protection of investments, done at Ottawa on 24 October 1994;

Recognizing that the promotion and the protection of investments of investors of a party in the territory of the other party will be conducive to the stimulation of mutually beneficial business activity;

Recognizing that states must maintain the ability to preserve, develop and implement their cultural policies for the purpose of strengthening cultural diversity, given the essential role that cultural goods and services play in the identity and diversity of societies and the lives of natural persons; and

Affirming their commitment to respect the values and principles of democracy and to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms as identified in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Have agreed as follows: