President Yanukovych Promises to Improve Legal Basis in Area of Church-State Relations

“We are drafting concrete proposals to further improve the legal basis in the sphere of church-state relations,” the president said at a meeting with leaders of churches and religious organizations, the presidential website reported.

State policy on church and religion will be further based on principles of trust, legality and rule of law. It was stated by the president in the course of the meeting with leaders of churches and religious organizations.

“Such policy is aimed at creating favorable conditions for the functioning of the denominations, ensuring equal rights and opportunities for all religious organizations, strengthening religious and ideological tolerance as well as respect between the believers,” the head of state noted.

According to him, the legal base in the sphere of church-state relations will be improved. “We are drafting concrete proposals to further improve the legal basis in the sphere of church-state relations,” Viktor Yanukovych said.

The president also drew the participants’ attention to the establishment of dialogue between representatives of religious confessions and people’s deputies. “We can’t speak about success unless there is a consensus in such delicate issues like freedom of conscience and freedom of religion,” the head of state stressed.