Thank you very much. First of all I would like to point out that Greece is committed to continue its
efforts in improving the situaiton of the Muslim minority in Greece. Additionally we plan to work on
the following issues, our priority is the radical improvement of the situation of Roma communities in
Greece. Although Roma communities in Greece do not consider themselves as a minorities but they
are disadvantaged group, the truth remains that their living conditions are bad. We have to work
systematically to see results in a few years, our experience from the positive measures that were
adoptedin favour of the Muslim minority back in the 1990s shows that these practices need time to
bring fruits.
Secondly we give particular emphasis to the rights of Muslim women, something that has not be told
by the two NGOs who spoke about the situation of Muslim citizens in Greece is that Muslim
womens rights are often violated not by the state but due to stereotypes within the Muslim society.
During the last 15 years we managed to eliminate almost all obstacles hindering young Muslim girls to
attend schools and we raised considerably the number of female Muslims who graduate from the
high schools who are going to continue this way.
Thirdly we want to point out that following the recommendations of the independent expert on
minority issues, Gay McDougall, to continue our efforts to stop segregation of Roma students in
certain public schools. We also offer the opportunity to parents of Muslim students to stop the
segregation of their children by attending public schools. In relation to the issue of Muslim religious
leaders, Muftis, in Greece that was raised this morning by an NGO, I would like to point out that in
Greece Muftis operate as judges as well as religious leaders. There is not a single country all over the
world where religious leaders with religious and judicial functions are elected. Muftis in Greece are
selected through fully transparent procedures by a body of esteemed teachers of Islam that are
members of the Muslim minority. I would like to assure you that Greece will remain committed to the
UN declaration on minority rights and will continue to seek further ways and means to meet the
recommendations of the five forums on minority issues for progress, prosperity and well-being of all
Greek citizens irrespective of their linguistic, ethnic, or religious differences. Thank you very much.