Cairo: In response to an inquiry by the Middle East News Agency, the Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has clarified recent concerns regarding the status of the lands surrounding the Monastery of Saint Catherine. These concerns arose following a judicial ruling issued on May 28 and subsequent rumors about the confiscation of the monastery and its affiliated lands.

According to State Information Service Egypt, the spokesperson firmly stated that the claims of confiscation are entirely unfounded. Upon reviewing the full text of the ruling, it becomes evident that the Monastery of Saint Catherine, along with its affiliated archaeological sites, retains its spiritual and religious significance. The ruling marks the first instance in which the legal status of the monastery has been regulated, ensuring the preservation of its sacred standing.

The ruling also acknowledges additional sites, for which contracts had been signed with local authorities, despite their classification as natural reserves. The court has approved the continued right of the monastery's monks to benefit from these areas, recognizing their spiritual and archaeological importance. Furthermore, the ruling addresses remote areas within the natural reserves that are far from the monastery and uninhabited, designating them as state property due to the absence of ownership documents.

The spokesperson emphasized the importance of verifying information before making premature judgments and highlighted the need to maintain the strong, historical relations between Egypt and the Hellenic Republic. These relations, which have endured for centuries, should not be jeopardized by misinformation or hasty conclusions.