What Will Greece Request from Cairo Regarding the Monastery of Saint Catherine: Ownership Rights and Post-Sisi Concerns

At a high level, with the participation of the Foreign Minister, the Greek delegation travels to Cairo on Wednesday for official negotiations with the Egyptian government following a judicial decision that strips the Monastery of Saint Catherine of its property rights and transfers sovereignty to the state of Egypt. The Greek delegation, led by Giorgos Gerapetritis and involving members from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Education and Religious Affairs, and Culture, will meet with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty to discuss the Sinai Monastery issue. The aim of the Greek mission is to reverse the situation and initiate negotiations based on the original understanding, seeking an out-of-court settlement and sealing an agreement reflecting President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi’s commitment not to change the ownership status of the Monastery. Despite previous agreements recognizing full ownership rights to the Monastery, Cairo has delayed progress, awaiting the court’s decision announced last Wednesday. Diplomatic sources indicate that Cairo may seek changes to prior agreements citing judicial independence. The Greek delegation also holds a strong card—an UNESCO document proving Egypt’s acknowledgment since 2002 that the land and buildings belong to the Greek Orthodox Church and Archbishopric of Sinai. While negotiations are expected to be difficult and compromises necessary, there is concern about what future actions a post-Sisi administration might take regarding the monastery’s ownership and religious character. Tensions in these negotiations could impact Greece-Egypt relations, which have strategic significance, prompting Athens to consider moves pressuring Cairo to honor its commitments, including potential EU involvement.