To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Turkish Government on the prosecution of the Ecumenical Patriarch of the Orthodox Church for using the title Ecumenical; and if he will make a statement. (180051)

The issue of religious freedoms in Turkey is regularly raised with the Turkish Government. My right hon. Friend the Member for Ashfield (Mr. Hoon), then Minister for Europe, also met the Ecumenical Patriarch in January last year to discuss the difficulties facing the Orthodox Church in Turkey.

We continue to urge the Turkish authorities to resolve ongoing issues relating to fundamental rights and freedoms facing religious minority groups in Turkey, including the status of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to Turkey on its recognition of the spiritual and religious status of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople; and if he will make a statement. (180052)

We regularly raise issues of freedom of religion in bilateral discussions at all levels. We continue to urge the Turkish authorities to resolve ongoing issues relating to fundamental rights and freedoms facing religious minority groups in Turkey, including the status of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Turkish government on its obligations under the Lausanne Treaty provisions and the UN Declaration on Freedom of Religion or Belief; and if he will make a statement. (180056)

The Turkish government is aware of its obligations under the Lausanne Treaty provisions and the UN Declaration on Freedom of Religion or Belief. We continue to urge Turkey in regular bilateral discussions to take positive steps on issues surrounding freedom of religion and belief, and the European Commission monitors progress towards full and consistent alignment with EU standards.