#UnitedforUkraine: On April 2, Mark A. Taplin, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the United States Embassy in Paris, Ukrainian Ambassador Oleksandr Kupchyshyn, and Canadian Ambassador Lawrence Cannon met with young Ukrainians during a reception at the Hotel de Talleyrand (the George Marshall Center) in Paris.
Mark A. Taplin stated that: “What will move Ukraine forward is the talent and hard work of young Ukrainians like you, determined to build a better future.”
Remarks of Chargé d’Affaires Mark A. Taplin Delivered at Hotel de Talleyrand, April 2, 2014 — 7:00pm
Good evening. Thank you very much for joining us for this special tribute to Ukraine, and especially to Ukraine’s next generation.
We are honored to organize tonight’s reception in partnership with Ambassador Kupchyshyn and his staff, along with Ambassador Cannon and our colleagues at the Embassy of Canada.
Ukraine has rediscovered in recent weeks, since Russia undertook its illegal occupation of Ukraine’s autonomous republic of Crimea, just how many friends it has.
All those countries are friends of Ukraine, for sure. But they are also friends of the most fundamental principles of international law. They are friends of sovereignty and independence, friends of democracy and the rule of law, friends of the right of the people, like Ukraine’s, to decide what type of future they want for themselves. And to do so free from external threats and provocations. I would like to think that among Ukraine’s friends and partners, you have none better than Canada and the United States.
I would like to take this opportunity, as well, to speak directly to the Ukrainian students who are gathered here tonight. You are at the heart of this reception; you are the reason we are here. You are your country’s future – and you understand as well as anyone what it means for Ukraine to have a European future. What will move Ukraine forward is the talent and hard work of young Ukrainians like you, determined to build a better future.
You are determined to live in a society built on mutual respect, the rule of law, and on the truth. I am reminded of a Ukrainian proverb: “There are many lies but one truth.” That truth: Ukraine must be free to decide how it wants to live.
Я також хотів би скористатися цією нагодою і безпосередньо звернутися до українських студентів, які сьогодні тут присутні.
Ви є центром цього прийому і саме заради вас ми зібралися.
Ви – майбутнє вашої країни, і ви, як і всі інші, добре розумієте, що означає для України мати європейське майбутнє.
Поступ Україні забезпечать талант і наполеглива праця таких як ви, молодих українців, відданих справі побудови кращого майбутнього.
Ви обираєте життя у суспільстві, збудованому на взаємній повазі, верховенстві права та правді. Як говорить українське прислів’я: «Бре́хень багато, а правда одна». І правда ця – Україна має бути вільною у виборі того, як вона хоче жити.
I will now have to apologize for both my inferior Ukrainian and French. But I think all of you understood my basic message.
Ukraine’s youth, including the outstanding young people who have joined us this evening, have a key role to play in their country’s future. They deserve our full support, in the complicated weeks and months ahead of us – but also in the long-term, in the years ahead, as they work together to construct an independent, prosperous and democratic Ukraine.
It now gives me great pleasure now to invite Ambassador Cannon to the microphone.
