Four Greek Members of the European Parliament from PASOK have submitted a joint written question asking the European Commission to protect Saint Catherine's Monastery in Sinai.
The parliamentary intervention on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, by Giannis Maniatis, Nikos Papandreou, Sakis Arnaoutoglou, and Nikolas Farantouris comes ahead of a final hearing on the monastery's ownership status before the Egyptian Court of Cassation on August 23.
The four lawmakers raised serious concerns over the recognition of the legal personality of the historic monastery and the refusal of Egyptian authorities to grant state recognition to its canonically elected Archbishop and Abbot. They noted that this lack of official recognition restricts effective judicial representation and leaves the site's historical property rights vulnerable under local law.
EU Partnership and Financial Aid
The MEPs highlighted that these administrative and judicial challenges are taking place while the European Union deepens its strategic partnership with Egypt. The bloc recently issued a positive assessment of Egypt regarding human rights and the rule of law.
In their formal question to the European Commission, the lawmakers asked whether recent developments surrounding the Sinai monastery were taken into account during Egypt's evaluation and when deciding to continue European funding.
They also asked whether the Commission considers these actions consistent with Egypt's international commitments to protect religious freedom, ensure effective access to justice, and safeguard historic religious institutions.
Treaty Articles and Macro-Financial Assistance
The written question, titled Holy Monastery of Saint Catherine in Sinai: Rule of Law and EU-Egypt relations, specifically cited Articles 2, 3 paragraph 5, and 21 of the Treaty on European Union. These articles establish the bloc's foundational values of human rights, the rule of law, and international law in its external relations.
The submission also cited Decision (EU) 2025/1267, which governs the provision of macro-financial assistance to Egypt. The MEPs questioned whether Egyptian actions negate the country's obligations regarding religious freedoms and judicial protections under that framework.
The PASOK lawmakers stated that the European Union must remain consistent with its declared principles. They added that any strategic partnership requires full respect for fundamental rights, religious freedom, and European and global cultural heritage.
Religious Heritage and Political Background
PASOK and party president Nikos Androulakis have repeatedly raised the issue of the monastery's ownership status. The party has asked both the Greek government and European institutions for clear answers and protection for the site, which it describes as an important religious symbol of Orthodoxy and a monument of world heritage.
The Holy Monastery of Saint Catherine, situated at the foot of Mount Sinai on the Sinai Peninsula, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the oldest continuously operating Christian monasteries in the world. The Egyptian Court of Cassation, based in Cairo, acts as the highest judicial court for final appeals in Egypt.
PASOK, officially the Panhellenic Socialist Movement, is Greece's primary centre-left opposition party. Its representatives in the European Parliament have urged EU officials to condition financial support on adherence to fundamental rights and the preservation of historic religious sites.
