LITTLE ROCK — A senate panel today endorsed a resolution urging the government of Turkey to recognize the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the leader of the Greek Orthodox Church.

To date, nearly 30 states have either approved similar resolutions are are considering them, said Gus Vratsinas, a member of the Greek Orthodox Church in Little Rock.

“All of use in the state, the United States and the European Union believe in human and religious freedom,” Vratsinas told the Senate Committee on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs.

Sen. David Johnson, D-Little Rock, told the panel that for years Muslims and Christians have lived together and gotten along, but recently the Turkish government has been limiting the freedoms of Christians.