Pavlos Marinakis, a spokesman for the government, addressed political editors regarding the Sinai Monastery, confirming that the Greek government possesses the relevant court ruling.
“There has been an overwhelming reaction from the opposition. The decision upholds the monastery’s appeal concerning the legal rights to all places of worship and affirms the perpetual right to worship. However, it does not recognize the monastery’s ownership of these places. Additionally, it clarifies that the monastery lacks ownership of the surrounding non-worship areas. Claims regarding the eviction of monks and confiscation are unfounded,” he stated.
He further emphasized, “Our nation is committed to adhering to agreed terms, which will be communicated by the Greek Foreign Minister and the rest of the delegation on Wednesday. Greece honors the longstanding status of the monastery and aims to reach an agreement with the Egyptian side based on discussions from the High Cooperation Council between our two nations. We will dedicate all our efforts to this matter, as it is deeply tied to our faith and the values of Orthodoxy, resonating with Greek citizens worldwide. The opposition, however, paints this as a strategic diplomatic failure of the government. Unfortunately, they have not learned from past mishaps and continue to perpetuate falsehoods regarding sensitive issues around the Holy Monastery of St. Catherine of Sinai.”
Responding to claims about a potential exchange of the monastery for affordable electricity, Marinakis remarked humorously that they could jokingly claim they “paid for it in xylolium,” but emphasized that they were dealing with serious matters, stating, “This xylolium narrative is a vulgar portrayal from the opposition in the wake of a tragic event, and discussing the Sinai Monastery is a sacred issue that demands respect.”
He noted that a permanent, institutional solution is a long-standing aim that has not been tackled by previous prime ministers. “Those from the opposition have no understanding of the issue; they don’t comprehend the significance of the monastery. For over a year, the Prime Minister has actively engaged with the matter, and we are hopeful for a satisfactory agreement,” he said.
When questioned about what improved the country’s representation on Wednesday and what the red lines are, he replied that they revolve around what was agreed in the ASA, ensuring no controversies regarding the monastery’s character and status. “We are not signaling otherwise. The Egyptian side’s statements on Thursday also demonstrate their willingness. It has been agreed to undertake a comprehensive visit on Wednesday,” he added.
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