Greece calls on Egypt to respect international status of Sinai Monastery

St. Catherine's Monastery. Photo: tripsinegypt

On June 10, 2025, the President of the Greek Parliament, Nikitas Kaklamanis, sent a letter to his Egyptian counterpart expressing concern about the legal and property status of the monastery. This was reported by the Orthodoxia News Agency.

In the official letter, Kaklamanis emphasized that the issue of the monastery's status is directly related to international law.

Kaklamanis referred to the 1972 UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, signed by 191 countries, including Egypt. According to him, this convention takes precedence over the domestic laws of the participating states and obliges Egypt to respect the monastery as a world heritage monument and a center of Orthodox spirituality.

He also noted that Egypt cannot cite difficulties in applying international norms within its legal system, as it has undertaken these obligations itself. The letter emphasizes the necessity of full respect for the monastery, including the right to use all its assets, which have been at the community's disposal since 2002 and earlier.

In conclusion, the head of the Greek Parliament expressed hope that Egypt would understand this position, relying on the traditionally good relations between the two countries, including at the inter-parliamentary level.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Greece and Egypt discussed the status of the Monastery of Saint Catherine on Sinai.

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