Canada will focus on Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea at a meeting of the foreign ministers of the OSCE member states, according to the Canadian Foreign Ministry, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"Minister [Chrystia Freeland] will be in Vienna, Austria, from December 7 to 8, to attend the 24th Ministerial Council of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). The Minister, participating in her first Ministerial Council, will advance Canada's priorities in international security and human rights, focusing attention on Ukraine and Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea," the ministry reported.

Freeland said that she would defend in Vienna "a rules-based international order."

"In a world where our values and interests are increasingly challenged, Canada's partnership with its European allies is more essential than ever. I look forward to reaffirming Canada's continued commitment to a rules-based international order, democratic freedoms, and transatlantic cooperation and security," she said.

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