The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs against rumors of seizures or possible damage concerning the Monastery of St. Catherine of Sinai and its surrounding archaeological sites was categorical.
The official spokesman for the Egyptian Foreign Minister, answering a question from the Middle East News Agency (MENA), stressed that allegations of seizure were completely unfounded. As he explained, the complete text of the judicial decision restores the truth and emphasizes the preservation of the spiritual, religious and historical character of the monastery.
Complete recognition of the sacred character
According to the spokesman, the decision does not endanger its monastery, archaeological structures, temples or cemeteries. On the contrary, this is the first time that a court has recognized and legitimizes the monastery’s regime, maintaining its sacred character.
At the same time, it was noted that although contracts have been signed for some adjacent points with local authorities – in areas considered natural shelters – the decision confirms the continuation of the use of these sites by the monastery for religious and archaeological purposes.
State land away from the monastery
The court also referred to remote areas belonging to protected natural zones, away from the monastery and without habitation. There are no official ownership or occupation documents for these areas, according to the decision and are therefore regarded as state land.
Appeal to prudence and respect for relations with Greece
The Foreign Minister’s spokesman called on the bodies and the media to display responsibility, avoiding reproduction of incorrect or early conclusions before studying the full content of the decision. Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of preserving the historical, friendly and brotherly ties of Egypt to Greece, which, he noted, have long been for centuries.
In detail the statement by the representative of the Egyptian Foreign Ministry:
In response to a question from the Middle East News Agency (MENA) on the court ruling issued yesterday, May 28, on the territories around the Monastery of St. Catherine and the rumors of the seizure of the monastery and its related areas, the official representative of the Foreign Ministry said that Decision reveals the following:
First, there will be absolutely no damage to the Monastery of St. Catherine, its related archaeological sites, its spiritual value, its religious regime or in the cemeteries of the monastery. The spokesman stressed that this is the first time the court has officially recognized the monastery’s status and that its sacred character has been preserved.
Secondly, despite the existence of some additional areas for which contracts have been signed with the local authorities, although they are considered natural shelters-with the aim of maintaining the spiritual value and the high religious regime of the monastery, the judicial decision approved the continuation of the use of the monastery and the religious and the religious and religious area.
Thirdly, the court ruling pointed out the existence of some remote areas characterized as natural shelters, which are far from the monastery, are uninhabited and for which there are no evidence of ownership documents; they are therefore considered state land.
The official spokesman emphasized the need to verify accuracy and avoid incorrect and premature conclusions before reviewing the full text of the judicial decision, and emphasized the great importance of not affecting the close, brotherly and historical relations that unite with Egypt.
Protothema.gr