A resolution urging the Government of Turkey to respect the rights and religious freedoms of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of the Orthodox Christian Church.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S6944-6945)
Congressional Research Service
Official summary
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jul 17, 2008
Declares that the government of Turkey should move expeditiously to meet the criteria set forth by the European Council in Copenhagen.
Calls on the European Union to focus on the elimination of all forms of discrimination in Turkey, particularly regarding the Ecumenical Patriarchate, while continuing negotiations on the accession of Turkey to the European Union.
Calls on Turkey to: (1) remove an obstacle in its U.S. relations by taking steps to provide the Patriarchate's full religious freedom; (2) recognize the right to the title of "Ecumenical Patriarch"; (3) grant the Patriarch appropriate international recognition and ecclesiastic succession; (4) grant the Patriarch the right to train clergy of all nationalities; and (5) respect the Patriarchate's property and human rights.
Source last updated: Aug 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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