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Egypt Today
3 days ago
- Politics
- Egypt Today
President Sisi in call with Greek PM: Egypt commits to preserve Saint Catherine's Monastery, sacred religious status
President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received a phone call on Friday from Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis- press photo CAIRO – 30 May 2025: President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received a phone call on Friday from Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, during which both leaders reaffirmed the strength of Egyptian-Greek relations and their shared commitment to expanding strategic cooperation across various fields. According to Presidency Spokesperson Ambassador Mohamed El-Shenawy, the two leaders emphasized the historical depth of their bilateral ties and their alignment on mutual interests between the two friendly nations. During the call, President Sisi addressed recent rumors regarding Saint Catherine's Monastery, emphasizing Egypt's unwavering commitment to preserving its sacred religious status. He underscored that no infringement upon the monastery's sanctity would occur, referencing a recent judicial ruling that reinforces the site's heritage and spiritual significance. President Sisi's remarks came in response to rumors—reported by Al Arabiya Net—alleging that Saint Catherine's Monastery was being evacuated of its monks in preparation for its sale. On May 28, 2025, the Ismailia Court of Appeal's Taba Sinai Mission ruled on a case concerning disputed land in South Sinai. The ruling, delivered by Judge Alaa Mustafa Abdel Razek, along with Counselors Hassanein Ahmed Al-Wasif and Amir Hassan Abu Al-Leil, affirmed the monks' rights to use and perform religious rites at the monastery and its affiliated archaeological sites. While these sites remain public property owned by the state, they are under the religious stewardship of the monastery's bishop, appointed by Presidential Decree No. 306 of 1974, and are supervised by the Supreme Council of Antiquities. The court further ruled that existing land use agreements between the monastery and local authorities remain valid, dismissing allegations of illegal land seizure. It also clarified that remaining disputed lands fall within protected nature reserves and cannot be claimed through prescription or ownership, as they are classified as public property. The court concluded that the remaining disputed plots of land are nature reserves, all of which are public state property, and cannot be disposed of or owned by prescription. No contracts have been issued regarding them by the competent authority. On May 29, 2025, Egypt's Presidency issued a statement to reiterate ts full commitment to preserving the 'unique and sacred religious status' of Saint Catherine's Monastery and preventing its violation. The Presidency affirmed that the recent court ruling consolidates this status, aligning with the points President Abdel Fattah El Sisi emphasized during his recent visit to Athens on May 7. The Presidency also affirmed the importance of preserving the close and fraternal relations that bind the two countries and peoples and ensuring that they are not jeopardized. Egypt's foreign ministry's official spokesman also stressed on Thursday that rumors about seizing St. Catherine's Monastery and its affiliated land are completely unfounded. The spokesperson made the remarks regarding a court ruling issued on May 28, concerning the land surrounding St. Catherine's Monastery.
Egypt Today
07-05-2025
- Business
- Egypt Today
Egypt, Greece sign strategic partnership declaration; Sisi hails ‘new phase of close cooperation'
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi speaks during a joint press conference with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Athens, May 7, 2025 – Egyptian Presidency/Still image CAIRO – 7 May 2025: President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi said he signed a joint declaration on a strategic partnership between Egypt and Greece during his meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Wednesday. Speaking at a press conference alongside Mitsotakis, Sisi stated that the declaration 'consolidates the deep and distinguished relations between our two friendly countries and establishes a new phase of close cooperation on all levels.' Sisi also commended the convening of the first High-Level Cooperation Council meeting between Egypt and Greece today, describing it as 'a pivotal station and a qualitative leap in the path of Egyptian-Greek relations.' Sisi added that the council 'embodies the shared political will to elevate the level of bilateral coordination and cooperation.' Comprehensive Relations Sisi hailed the 'tangible outcome' of the council meeting, especially with both countries agreeing to expand the scope of cooperation to include the fields of economy, trade, investment, tourism, technology, and entrepreneurship, as well as energy, security, and migration. Sisi emphasized the great importance Egypt attaches to the electricity interconnection project between Egypt and Greece, known as GREGY, lauding the project as 'a strategic step with regional and international dimensions.' The president emphasized that GREGY is 'the first direct connection of clean energy coming from Egypt to Europe via Greece.' Sisi said Egypt looks forward to the continued support of the European Union for this ambitious project and for the acceleration of its implementation steps. He also noted Egypt's interest in continuing cooperation with Greece in the field of natural gas. The president called for expediting the implementation of the agreement to bring Egyptian seasonal workers to work in sectors where Greece wishes to recruit labor. He called for intensifying joint cooperation between the two countries in the fields of combating terrorism and illegal immigration, based on the successful Egyptian experience in these two areas. 'Protecting Saint Catherine's Monastery' Sisi affirmed Egypt's commitment to protecting Saint Catherine's Monastery in South Sinai, denying rumors circulating about any negative actions by Egypt towards the monastery. Late last year, the Egyptian government denied any threats or plans to evacuate Saint Catherine's Monastery, which belongs to the Greek Orthodox Church, was built in the sixth century, and is under Greek supervision. 'I was very upset when the topic of Saint Catherine's Monastery was raised and that Egypt might take any negative action... not only because of the monastery's status, but because this contradicts the principles of Egyptian belief and policy that we practice,' the President stated. He continued, 'When extremists burned 65 churches in Egypt, we rebuilt them again, and we are building places of worship for Muslims and Christians in new communities.' 'If I had Jewish citizens, I would build synagogues for them,' he added. The president said he is denying these rumors in light of the historical relationship and the great affection between the Egyptian and Greek people. 'I became very concerned that this affection is being tampered with through a sensitive issue like this, and this will not happen.' Sisi underlined his and Egypt's commitment to the connection between Saint Catherine's Monastery and the Egyptian state as 'a perpetual contract that no one can touch.' 'This [monastery] carries within it the remains of a saint for more than 1500 years … Anyone who visits Egypt, we tell them, 'Come and see Saint Catherine's Monastery, of a great saint who was a believer at a time when there was no faith.'' 'Our people in Egypt and Greece are one people.' 'Starvation as a Weapon' in Gaza Sisi said that he exchanged views with Mitsotakis on many regional and international issues. Most notably, they discussed the dangerous developments in the Middle East resulting from the Israeli war on Gaza, and the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in the enclave for over 18 months. Sisi said he affirmed Egypt's firm position on the need to revive the ceasefire agreement in Gaza and release prisoners and captives. He also called for ensuring the entry of humanitarian aid in sufficient quantities, stressing rejection of 'the use of starvation and denial of medical services as a weapon against civilians.'
