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MOSCOW, June 7 (RIA Novosti) - The European...

MOSCOW, June 7 (RIA Novosti) - The European Constitution does not take into account moral traditions which causes protests against this document, Patriarch Alexis II of Moscow and All Russia said. "In my opinion, protests against the European Constitution are caused by its failure to meet the interests, moral traditions and history of France and Holland," Alexis II said after the meeting with Speaker of the Italian Chamber of Deputies Pier Ferdinando Casini on Tuesday. "In this case, the Russian Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church have a common position. We believe that the European Constitution should mention common Christian roots as the basis of European culture," Alexis II said. "Ignoring this means countering the real truth," he added. Casini agreed with the churches" position on this issue. According to the patriarch, striving for bringing Europe back to common Christian roots will promote rapprochement of the Orthodox and Catholic Churches. "The return to common Christian roots, the basis of European culture, may promote rapprochement and ecumenical development between European churches," Alexis II said. The Moscow patriarchate said that "ecumenical development" meant "common interests of Christian churches against de-Christianization of Europe and solution of other problems." Alexis II and Casini agreed that the draft constitution "had no soul." The sides also discussed the problems of proselytism and sects, which destroy the Christian culture.

The party of former Ukrainian premier Yulia...

The party of former Ukrainian premier Yulia Tymoshenko may be forced to attack its opponents during a debate on the ratification of a deal to extend the lease of a Russian naval base, a lawmaker said on Monday.

Russia should continue its efforts to turn...

Russia should continue its efforts to turn Moscow into a global financial center, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Tuesday.