NEWS

Prime Minister Pahor: People should freely express their religious beliefs

The Slovenian Prime Minister, Borut Pahor, today attended consultations of representatives of religious communities organised by the Office of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia for Religious Communities. The newly appointed director of the Office, Aleš Gulič, opened the event by introducing himself. The participants then went on to discuss current issues. Prime Minister Pahor said that "the Government will do everything within its power to establish relations between the state and the religious communities to the benefit of both sides." He also touched upon the proposals to amend the Religious Communities Act, expressing his wish that "all religious communities would find their identification in the Act and understand it as the basis for their co-operation with the state."
 

(Foto: Tamino Petelinšek/STA)

 
Mr Pahor also expressed his belief that "Mr Gulič will perform his duties conscientiously and with dedication, and that the prejudices associated by some with Mr Gulič and his appointment are unjustified." He went on to say that "these prejudices may, to some extent, even be useful, as Mr Gulič undoubtedly wishes to establish himself in his new position as someone who is trustworthy and credible."
 
At the close of his address, Prime Minister Pahor highlighted the Government's decision "to charge the Ministry of Defence with drafting a study on the possible introduction of a diocese in the Slovene armed forces; the point is that the relations be regulated so as to enable people to feel free in expressing their religious beliefs."