Cebu to ink pact with Ukraine territory

CEBU, Philippines – The Autonomous Republic of Crimea in Ukraine has invited the Province of Cebu to sign an agreement on trade, economic, scientific, technical and cultural cooperation.

The trade agreement, when signed, will fall within the framework of the International Black Sea Economic Forum, which will be held in Yalta, also in Ukraine, on November 26 to 27, 2010.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said she is bent on attending the forum in response to the invitation of Vasyl Dzharty of the Council of Ministers of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.

The invitation was forwarded to Garcia by Consul General Oscar de Venecia of the Consulate of Ukraine in Manila.

"I have signified our intention to attend this forum and our willingness to sign an agreement for promotion of trade, culture, science and economic and technical cooperation," Garcia told reporters yesterday.

Ukraine is the second largest country in Eastern Europe. It is bordered by the Russian Federation to the east and northeast, Belarus to the northwest, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary to the west, Romania and Moldova to the southwest, and the Black Sea and Sea of Azov to the south and southeast respectively.

On November 15-16, Garcia will attend the Governors' Global Climate Summit 3 in California upon the invitation of California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Garcia is invited to become a founding member and to co-host the R20-Regions of Climate Action, a new international organization that aims to combat climate change. (FREEMAN)