Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis is traveling to Cairo today, leading the Greek delegation at a time of heightened diplomatic tension between Greece and Egypt. The visit comes in the wake of a controversial court ruling in Egypt that has cast doubt on the ownership status of the Greek Orthodox Saint Catherine’s Monastery in Sinai—an issue that has stirred unease in Athens.
Gerapetritis is expected to hold talks with his Egyptian counterpart in an effort to reaffirm the longstanding status quo, based on high-level agreements and explicit commitments previously made by President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi. Greece also cites official documents Egypt submitted to UNESCO, which clearly recognize the monastery as the property of the Greek Orthodox Church.
While the Greek side seeks to restore the agreed framework, it is also eager to maintain open lines of communication and cooperation with Egypt.
Cairo, for its part, has repeatedly emphasized its respect for the monastery’s religious role and the unhindered practice of worship there. But as sources close to the negotiations point out, freedom of worship has never been in dispute—and is unrelated to the core issue currently under legal review.
The main sticking point, they say, lies in the ruling of the Egyptian Court of Appeals, which appears to stem from efforts by influential domestic actors to rebrand the area as a major tourist destination.
