Yelensky lobbies for the interests of OCU in Romania

Yelensky at the RomOC temple. Photo: DESS

From October 21 to 23, 2024, the head of the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience, Viktor Yelensky, visited Romania, where he held a series of meetings with representatives of the Romanian government and the Romanian Orthodox Church, according to the DESS' press service.

The meetings included the Ukrainian Ambassador to Romania, Ihor Prokopchuk, as well as representatives from Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its Embassy in Romania.

During a meeting with Ana Cristina Tinca, the State Secretary for Strategic Affairs at the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, issues regarding the protection of the rights of the Romanian national minority in Ukraine and the Ukrainian minority in Romania were discussed. Viktor Yelensky emphasized that “there are significant opportunities for improving, deepening, and strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the humanitarian sphere, especially in the interaction of scientific, cultural, public, and religious organizations.” The parties also noted the importance of developing dialogue in the area of state-church partnership.

On the same day, at the Patriarchate, Yelensky held a nearly three-hour meeting with the secretary of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Patriarchate, Bishop Varlaam of Ploiesti, and his advisors. Key religious issues arising in both countries were discussed. Yelensky stressed: “It is necessary to intensify dialogue between the Orthodox Churches of Ukraine and Romania, which will contribute not only to bolstering the spiritual and moral foundations of Ukrainian and Romanian societies but also to the resilience of our countries in the face of Russian aggression.”

As reported by the UOJ, the Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church expressed regret that Ukrainian authorities “unreasonably postponed indefinitely” the legal recognition of the religious association “Romanian Orthodox Church of Ukraine”.

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