J?n Fige? to Serve as EU Commission Envoy on Freedom of Religion

Former Education and Culture Commissioner J?n Fige? was appointed as the first Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside the EU, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker announced on Friday.

Fige?  has assumed the position as of May 6 for an initial mandate of one year, which is renewable. He will serve as a special adviser to the Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Neven Mimica, the European Commission said in a statement.

"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 in the statement.

J?n Fige? served as European Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth from 2004 to 2009 and was First Deputy-Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic from 2010 to 2012.

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