Religion in the modern world helps unite different peoples and establish a constructive dialog, regardless of belief and ethnicity, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has said.

"In the current conditions, of course, religion helps consolidate the peoples of Europe, as well as many other peoples on all continents of the world. I bow low to you," he said at a meeting with representatives of an interfaith forum in Kyiv on Wednesday.

He also praised the efforts that are being made by the leaders of religious communities, experts and the media community in the context of promoting tolerance and the values of dialog between people.

"You are contributing actively to the reduction of social violence and intolerance," Yanukovych said.

Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem, in turn, said: "Today Kyiv has become a place of constructive dialog between all religions."

He also presented a special award of the interfaith forum to the president.