Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002248/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Nikolas Farantouris (The Left)
St Catherine’s Monastery at Sinai is the oldest continuously operating monastery, dating back to 456 AD, and an integral part of Christianity.
A recent court decision by the Egyptian judiciary (28 May) calls into question the ownership status of the Monastery, confiscates its property (from land to holy relics) in favour of the Egyptian State and creates conditions in which its future operation is objectively impossible.[1] Egypt and Greece – directly historically linked with the Monastery – had reached an out-of-court settlement that would protect the property of the Monastery, but Egypt ‘neglected’ to sign it in a timely manner.[2] The court ruling, which has provoked a reaction from all Orthodox Europeans, is a flagrant violation of religious and individual rights and constitutes a direct threat to a significant Christian community.
Accordingly:
- 1.What does the Commission intend to do to protect the religious freedom of Orthodox Christians in Egypt and the property rights of the Monastery at Sinai?
- 2.Given that the recently agreed provision of macro-financial assistance of EUR 4 billion to Egypt is conditional on progress in areas such as respect for democracy and the rule of law and the safeguarding of human rights, does the Commission consider that this condition for the provision of financial assistance has been met?
Submitted: 4.6.2025