Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Konstantinos Koutras said that the Federal Union of European Nationalities (FUEN) conference being held in Komotini, northern Greece, is proof that Greece respects religious freedom. He said that all Greek citizens have the right to assemble regardless of religion and he also pointed out that citizens belonging to minority groups are privy to equal rights.

Koutras pointed out that despite the economic hardship that the country is facing, Greece continues to fund the promotion and protection of Muslim and Ottoman monuments in Thrace and around Greece.

“In contrast with the members of the Greek Orthodox minority of Istanbul, Imbros and Tenedos, who were forced under painful conditions to abandon their homes, the Muslim minority of Western Thrace is thriving and is also represented by three MPs in Greek Parliament; an opportunity denied many FUEN members,” he said.

Koutras pledged the Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) government’s interest in speeding up legislation that would help in the better integration of minority groups. Furthermore, he said that religious freedom of Muslim minority groups are fully respected. He pointed out that Thrace is the only region in the European Union where Islamic Sacred Law is implemented. In fact, it is due to the implementation of Sharia that the Greek state participates in the process of choosing the muftis of Thrace who have judicial powers as well as religious duties.