The government pays special attention to issues of public policy in the field of religion. This was stated by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal during a meeting with representatives of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations.
This was stated by Prime Minister Denis Shmygal during the meeting held on December 1 with representatives of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations. The head of government thanked representatives of religious organizations for their constructive position in popularizing the vaccination process against COVID-19. This is reported by Uryadovy Kurier.
"Our own example of vaccination and the opening of vaccination outlets at religious organizations gave a good boost to the process as a whole. We expect to vaccinate the majority of the adult population by the end of the year. This will undoubtedly help save many lives," the Prime Minister said.
Denis Shmygal assured that active work continues to preserve the divisions that implement state policy in the field of religion in the structure of regional state administrations. According to the prime minister, the main problem is the lack of personnel support. He called on the leadership of the council to provide their proposals for a comprehensive solution to this issue.
Denis Shmygal focused on the adoption by the Verkhovna Rada of the law "On Military Chaplaincy", which the religious community has been waiting for for a long time, according to the Communications Department of the Cabinet of Ministers Secretariat.
"This law finally regulates relations in the sphere of implementing the constitutional right to freedom of worldview and religion of our servicemen, defining the legal and organizational foundations and principles of the military chaplaincy service," the head of government stressed.
On the issue of natural gas tariffs, the prime minister noted that the gas supply company Naftogaz set a fixed price for religious organizations at the level of UAH 16.55 per cubic meter (including VAT and transportation fees via main networks).
"The price will remain unchanged throughout the heating season. As of today, 1,225 such contracts have been concluded. Therefore, religious structures should be more actively involved in the process of concluding relevant agreements," the head of government said.
Denis Shmygal told the interlocutors that next year the program "Large-Scale Thermal Modernization" will begin, which will minimize heat losses during its supply and, accordingly, significantly reduce the figures in utility bills.