E/C.12/GRC/CO/2 protection of the rights under the Covenant is enhanced in line with the progress achieved in the post-crisis economic recovery. The State party should further ensure that its obligations under the Covenant are duly taken into account when negotiating financial assistance projects and programmes, including with international financial institutions. Non-discrimination 9. The Committee notes with concern that the State party recognizes only the Muslim religious minority in western Thrace as a minority. It also notes the lack of statistics on the composition of the population in the State party. The Committee is concerned about the persistent discrimination against persons with immigrant backgrounds and Roma in the State party, particularly in employment, education, health care and housing (art. 2 (2)). 10. The Committee recommends that the State party collect statistical data on the composition of the population, on the basis of voluntary self-identification, with a view to formulating, implementing and monitoring targeted and coordinated programmes and policies at the national and regional levels aimed at improving the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights. In this regard, the Committee, referring to its general recommendation No. 20 (2009) on non-discrimination in economic, social and cultural rights, encourages the State party to revisit its narrow interpretation of “minorities” and recommends the State party to take effective measures for the recognition of all minorities in order to fully protect their rights, including with respect to their language, religion, culture and identity. Migrants, asylum seekers and refugees 11. The Committee appreciates the efforts by the State party to receive and host the exceptionally high number of migrants and persons fleeing armed conflict or persecution and its continued cooperation with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in this regard. The Committee is concerned about the insufficient number of, and substandard conditions in, reception centres for migrants and persons fleeing armed conflict or persecution. It is also concerned about the limited enjoyment of the Covenant rights by migrants and persons fleeing armed conflict or persecution arriving to the State party’s shores (art. 2 (2)). 12. The Committee recommends that the State party intensify its efforts to ensure the full enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights by migrants, asylum seekers and refugees. In implementing its Covenant obligations towards such persons the State party is recommended to seek and strengthen international cooperation and assistance, in particular with European Union member States. The Committee further recommends that the State party take measures to increase the number of reception centres, improve the living conditions therein, and ensure that everyone in those centres has access to medical care, interpreters, adequate food, clothing and social support. Unemployment 13. Despite the measures taken by the State party, the Committee is concerned that the unemployment rate is exceptionally high, disproportionately affecting the youth, whose unemployment rate is around 50 per cent. It is particularly concerned about long-term unemployment, which affects 73 per cent of all unemployed persons in the State party. While noting that the long-term unemployment allowance is now paid to all categories of unemployed people, the Committee is concerned that accessing the allowance is procedurally difficult (art. 6). 3