The European Union shall recognise "the central role of Christianity in Iraq’s history and tradition. In its discussions with the Iraqi government, the EU should put forward the issue of the protection of the Christian community, menaced with extinction, and of religious minorities in Iraq." This is asked by the bishops of the European Community in a press release issued today at the end of the COMECE Autumn Plenary Assembly (Brussels, 12-14 November). The bishops acknowledge "with regret that the European Union, in its relations with third countries, is making to little an effort to face with determination the issue of the violation of the minorities’ religious freedom in other regions of the world." The press release notifies that the bishops have entrusted COMECE Secretary with the task of establishing an expert group with the charge of "taking into consideration the principle of reciprocity applied to religious freedom." The group’s report will be released in the next COMECE Plenary Assembly in March 2009.
