The first step to a Greek -Egyptian approach to its operating and property status Sinai happened yesterday in the long discussion of George Gerapetritis and his Egyptian counterpart, but the road is still long and complex, while the gray zones are many. In any case, Athens is seeking a “pure solution” that will concern the ownershipalthough it does not want to be in any way disagree with relationships with Cairo, which is now a strategic nature.
As ‘acquired’ of the discussion made yesterdayGreek government sources refer to the express assurance of the Egyptians on the continuation of the monastery with its existing status, without anyone blocking its monks. Of course, it is a question of what is to come with the property of the monastery, given the decision of the Ismail Court of Appeal. From then on, however, the most complex legal debate begins, given the court ruling, which was extensively stated by the Egyptian delegation in yesterday’s debate.
“We explained the political dimension and with all the respect for Egyptian justice we said that the issues of international law in terms of world heritage should also be taken into account, and we demanded the status quo of the historical monastery,” the Greek executives said. In fact, the Greek side invokes and the documents from the Egyptian request to UNESCO To include the monastery in the monastery of political heritage, which recognizes ownership of the historical monastery.
Once we have entered a legal tug -of -war, however, discussions are expected to be technical and to be done on this basis. The Court of Appeal is not negligible and further actions must be decided next time. If the Single decide to exercise appeal In the ruling and seek justification in the Supreme Court of Egypt, an out -of -court settlement could again be discussed. However, because this is not so easy, the other alternative is a transnational agreement, which in turn has difficulties.
Reportedly, the discussion that began yesterday and a record of posts will continue in the coming days, remains to be seen in what form. However, in the next discussion the foreign ministers But they will have the high supervision of the process, an example that there is an augmented political interest in the expansion of the ground crisis.
The Alliance and the Egyptian “Nod”
This is also a parameter that the Maximus Palace does not ignore, as in a complex geopolitical environment the alliance with the Egypt It remains a useful ‘constant’. In this sense, the Greek Government does not want to risk the relationship it has developed, without accepting the withdrawal from a ready -made agreement that was on the table until the issuance of the appeal.
In any case, The Egyptian Foreign Ministry announcement In the wake of yesterday’s meeting it was rather warm and quite explanatory to the Egyptian position. In addition to Mr Ambendelati’s assurances of the strategic relationship between the two countries, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that the decision, despite the incorrect references, confirms the religious, spiritual and monastic guardianship of the Monastery on the Monastery of Monastery and the surrounding areas.
“This marks an important step that confirms the sacredness and religious regime of the monastery, while allowing it to continue performing its religious and spiritual functions without any change in the existing status quo,” the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said.