Former First Deputy Prime Minister of Slovakia Jan Figel’ was appointed by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker as the first Special Envoy “for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside the European Union” as of May 6, according to a press release.
The idea for the new position was proposed to the European People’s Party congress in 2015, according to a World Watch Monitor report.
“My aim will be to create a synergy in EU policies in order to help freedom of religion in … countries in which freedom of religion is on the decline or doesn’t exist at all flourish more and more,” Figeľ said according to TASR newswire.
The appointment was announced by Juncker at the Vatican on the same day of the presentation of the Charlemagne Prize to Pope Francis for an initial mandate of one year. Figel’ will serve as a special adviser to Neven Mimica, Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development.
“Freedom of religion or belief is a fundamental right which is part of the foundation of the European Union. The persistent persecution of religious and ethnic minorities makes protecting and promoting this freedom inside and outside the EU all the more essential,” Juncker said.
