UN coordinator commends Egypt commitment to peace, peacekeeping services - Foreign Affairs
United Nations Resident Coordinator in Egypt Elena Panova commended 'Egypt's unwavering commitment to peace' and paid tribute to the service and sacrifice of the brave Egyptian men and women in blue helmets.
Panova wrote this on her X account, and the United Nations Egypt Facebook page shared it to mark the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, observed on 29 May annually.
For 65 years, #Egypt has been a pillar of @UN Peacekeeping.
On #PKDay, we honor its firm commitment to peace and salute the service & sacrifice of brave 🇪🇬women & men in blue helmets. In a turbulent world, Egypt remains a reliable partner in for global peace & security. @MfaEgypt — Elena Panova 🇺🇳 (@elenapanovaUN) May 28, 2025
The UN official added that Egypt remains a reliable international peace and security partner in a troubled world.
"For 65 years, Egypt has been a pillar of UN Peacekeeping," she expressed.
Under the theme Future of Peacekeeping, the UN will commemorate the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers with a ceremony on 3 June at the United Nations Memorial (Ariana Park).
The UN said this theme reflects the evolving nature of peace operations in a complex and rapidly changing world and its efforts to modernize and adapt missions for future challenges.
In a statement on Thursday, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed appreciation for peacekeepers and their role in promoting and maintaining international peace and security.
The statement also honoured the sacrifices of 60 Egyptian peacekeepers who lost their lives in the line of duty while wearing the blue helmet.
Egypt has participated in 37 UN peacekeeping missions since 1960 and contributed over 30,000 personnel to 24 countries.
According to the statement, Egypt is one of the leading countries contributing to UN peacekeeping missions. This reflects its commitment to achieving global security and to the UN charter.
Currently, the country contributes 1,205 personnel to UN peacekeeping missions.
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Rana Atef In recent hours, Saint Catherine's Monastery has drawn global attention following a court ruling concerning the ownership of its surrounding lands. There is no doubt that the monastery holds a special place in the hearts of Egyptians, not only for its profound historical and religious significance but also as a symbol of national heritage. Located in Sinai, the monastery continues to be a major destination for both religious and cultural tourism. History Saint Catherine's Monastery, whose official name is the 'Sacred Monastery of the God-Trodden Mount Sinai," was built by the order of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I in 548–565 AD in order to house the monks that had been living in the Sinai Peninsula since the 4th century AD. The name of the monastery came after the Saint Catherine of Alexandria was martyred in the early 4th century AD. The monastery carries her name because its monks discovered her body on nearby Mount Saint Catherine in the 9th century AD, where it had been deposited by angels after her martyrdom. The monastery encompasses multiple structures, the most important of which is the Church of the Transfiguration of Christ the Savior, which itself contains nine smaller churches. One of these is the Church of the Burning Bush, from which God had spoken to the prophet Moses. Saint Catherine's Monastery also includes ten other churches, the monks' accommodations, a refectory, an olive press, ossuaries, a Fatimid mosque from the 12th century AD, and a library that boasts rare books and 6,000 manuscripts. The monastery's library, established between 527 and 565, is recognized by the Guinness World Records as the oldest continuously operating library in the world. It holds the second-largest collection of early manuscripts and texts in the world, surpassed only by the Vatican Library. Lagal Dispute The legal dispute began in 2015. Two days ago, the Ismailia Court of Appeals issued its ruling regarding the disputed lands in South Sinai, affirming the right of those affiliated with Saint Catherine's Monastery to utilize the monastery and its religious heritage sites, while maintaining state ownership of these locations as public property. The court ruled that the contracts between the local authority and the monastery regarding certain utilized lands must be respected, denying any encroachment. It also confirmed that the remaining disputed lands are natural reserves and public property of the state, which cannot be sold or acquired through prescription, and no contracts have been signed concerning them. What Does the Ruling Mean? Abdel Rahim Rihan, a member of the "History and Antiquities Committee" at the Supreme Council of Culture, told Asharq Al-Awsat that "there is absolutely no crisis regarding the court ruling; on the contrary, it is a victory for the value of antiquities and their preservation, and a triumph for us as Egyptian archaeologists. The ruling confirmed that the monastery and its associated lands fall under the Antiquities Law and are overseen by the Supreme Council of Antiquities. The monastery's residents have the right to use the land, but ownership remains with the state, as these are religious archaeological sites administratively affiliated with the Greek Church yet registered as part of Egypt's world heritage, owned by the Egyptian state". Rihan added that 'this refutes any claims that authorities will evacuate the monastery for development projects. Such actions are not possible with a registered heritage site.' He further explained that 'the ruling also clarified that there are remote lands far from the monastery for which the monks possess no ownership or usufruct contracts. The court ruled these lands fall under the jurisdiction of the nature reserves in South Sinai. Therefore, if authorities wish to do anything with them, they must obtain approval from the Nature Reserves Authority and the Ministry of Environment. In any case, these areas are completely distant from the archaeological zones and the monastery itself.' He stressed that 'However, both history and the court ruling confirm that this land is owned by the Egyptian state, with its protection guaranteed as a registered heritage site.' In addition, Egyptian Member of Parliament Ehab Ramzy, who was among the lawyers who represented the monastery earlier, told CNN Arabic that the recent court ruling regarding the conflict between the monastery and South Sinai Governorate has effectively ended a years-long legal battle. The court affirmed the monastery's right to use the land. He added to CNN Arabic that the court confirmed the monastery's lands are archaeological sites registered on UNESCO's World Heritage List, meaning they cannot be privately owned, but can be lawfully used, a position that aligns with both Egyptian and international law. He continued that the ruling has reinforced the legal and religious status of the monastery and has permanently closed the door on the dispute. Official Response On Thursday, the Egyptian Presidency reaffirmed its full commitment to preserving the unique and sacred religious status of Saint Catherine's Monastery, stressing that this status will not be compromised in any way, as it is an integral part of both Egypt's and the world's religious and spiritual heritage. Presidential Spokesman Ambassador Mohamed El-Shenawy stated that the recent court ruling represents a legal reinforcement of the monastery's distinguished status. He added that the ruling aligns with what President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi emphasized during his official visit to Athens on May 7, where he underlined the importance of safeguarding shared religious and historical heritage. The presidency also highlighted the deep-rooted, fraternal relations between Egypt and Greece, emphasizing the need to maintain and strengthen these ties in the interest of both nations, while reiterating that these historic bonds must remain untouched. After a few hours, in response to a query from the Middle East News Agency regarding the court ruling issued on May 28 concerning the lands surrounding Saint Catherine's Monastery, and the rumors circulating about the confiscation of the monastery and its affiliated lands, the official spokesperson for Egypt's Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarified that such claims are entirely unfounded. A full review of the court ruling reveals the following key points: 1. No Threat to the Monastery or Its Sacred Status The spokesperson emphasized that there is absolutely no infringement on Saint Catherine's Monastery, its affiliated archaeological sites, its spiritual value, or its religious cemeteries. In fact, this court decision marks the first legal codification of the monastery's status and a reaffirmation of the preservation of its sacred position. 2. Continued Usufruct Rights for the Monks While some additional sites fall within natural reserves and have contracts signed with local authorities, the court recognized the monastery's spiritual and religious importance, and therefore upheld the right of the monks to continue using the religious and archaeological areas. 3. Remote State Lands Confirmed The court ruling also identified some remote and uninhabited areas within natural reserves, far from the monastery, for which no documents of ownership or usufruct were presented. These lands have thus been confirmed as public property of the Egyptian state. The spokesperson stressed the importance of accuracy in reporting and warned against forming premature judgments without reviewing the complete text of the ruling. He also highlighted the need to preserve the deep, historical, and brotherly relations between Egypt and Greece, which stretch back centuries. On Friday, Dr. Badr Abdel Aaty, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Migration, met with European ambassadors in Cairo, where he provided a detailed briefing on the court ruling issued on May 28 regarding the lands surrounding Saint Catherine's Monastery. Abdel Aaty emphasized that the court ruling explicitly confirmed that there would be no infringement upon Saint Catherine's Monastery, its affiliated archaeological sites, spiritual significance, religious status, or monastic cemeteries. He noted that this is the first time a court ruling formally preserves the legal and sacred status of the monastery. He also referred to a phone call held earlier that day between President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, during which the President reaffirmed Egypt's full commitment to safeguarding the unique and sacred religious status of Saint Catherine's Monastery, with no compromise on that position. The Foreign Minister added that the ruling not only protects the monastery's religious and spiritual value but also ensures the continued right of the monks to use the monastery and the surrounding religious and archaeological areas. Abdel Aaty pointed out that efforts will be made to reach an agreement to settle the status of certain lands between local authorities and the monastery. He also stressed the need for accurate reporting and avoiding premature or misleading interpretations, especially in light of false rumors about the confiscation of the monastery and its lands. He reiterated the strategic importance of Egyptian-Greek relations, which are grounded in centuries of deep-rooted historical and fraternal ties. On Friday, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi reaffirmed Egypt's full commitment to preserving the unique and sacred religious status of Saint Catherine's Monastery and stressed that this status would not be altered in any way. The recent court ruling further solidifies this position, aligning with Egypt's long-standing dedication to safeguarding religious and ecclesiastical sites, as well as affirming the monastery's cultural, spiritual, and religious significance. 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United Nations Resident Coordinator in Egypt Elena Panova commended 'Egypt's unwavering commitment to peace' and paid tribute to the service and sacrifice of the brave Egyptian men and women in blue helmets. Panova wrote this on her X account, and the United Nations Egypt Facebook page shared it to mark the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, observed on 29 May annually. For 65 years, #Egypt has been a pillar of @UN Peacekeeping. On #PKDay, we honor its firm commitment to peace and salute the service & sacrifice of brave 🇪🇬women & men in blue helmets. In a turbulent world, Egypt remains a reliable partner in for global peace & security. @MfaEgypt — Elena Panova 🇺🇳 (@elenapanovaUN) May 28, 2025 The UN official added that Egypt remains a reliable international peace and security partner in a troubled world. "For 65 years, Egypt has been a pillar of UN Peacekeeping," she expressed. Under the theme Future of Peacekeeping, the UN will commemorate the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers with a ceremony on 3 June at the United Nations Memorial (Ariana Park). The UN said this theme reflects the evolving nature of peace operations in a complex and rapidly changing world and its efforts to modernize and adapt missions for future challenges. In a statement on Thursday, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed appreciation for peacekeepers and their role in promoting and maintaining international peace and security. The statement also honoured the sacrifices of 60 Egyptian peacekeepers who lost their lives in the line of duty while wearing the blue helmet. Egypt has participated in 37 UN peacekeeping missions since 1960 and contributed over 30,000 personnel to 24 countries. According to the statement, Egypt is one of the leading countries contributing to UN peacekeeping missions. This reflects its commitment to achieving global security and to the UN charter. Currently, the country contributes 1,205 personnel to UN peacekeeping missions. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
