BRUSSELS, Belgium – Deep divisions have appeared among E.U. governments over suggestions that they should alter their blasphemy laws to protect Islam, and not just Christianity. The Turkish foreign minister, Abdullah Gul, sparked disagreement among his E.U. counterparts at a weekend meeting in Austria, when he called for European countries to review existing laws, to ensure they outlawed the “defamation” of all religions.

Mr. Gul told a meeting of E.U. and Balkan foreign ministers in Salzburg that many Muslims believe that current European laws amount to a double-standard, protecting established Christian religions, and banning anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial, while doing nothing to defend Muslims who feel offended.

He said several European countries already maintain laws against religious defamation. “However, these restraints sometimes only apply to the established religions of the concerned countries. I would like to call on you here to start a process of re-examination of your legislations to ensure that these restraints apply to all religions equally.” However, the Dutch foreign minister, Bernard Bot, told reporters: “We have freedom of speech. That means that Mr. Gul can say what he wants and I can say what I want. And I think that this [Mr. Gul’s idea] is superfluous.”