"Orthodox people all over the world are anxious about what is happening to Saint Catherine of Sinai, because it is one of the most powerful symbols of our Orthodox faith, one of the most ancient monasteries," main opposition PASOK-Movement for Change leader Nikos Androulakis said during the meeting he had last night in Cairo with the Archbishop of Sinai, Damianos.

He stressed that "we want both respect for freedom of belief and respect for the ownership status of the Monastery."

"After all, the Egyptian government, in the file it had sent to UNESCO to include Saint Catherine among the World Heritage monuments, includes all these issues," he said and informed the Archbishop of Sinai that, at the initiative of the Socialist Group, a request was submitted to the European Parliament to hold a debate in the Plenary in Strasbourg on the latest developments regarding the Holy Monastery of Saint Catherine.

"It is important to internationalise the issue, so that pressure can be exerted and the best possible solution can be found. We will all push together to find a solution. We have historically had friendly relations with the Egyptian people and we must all do our part to ensure that the Egyptian authorities respect this monastery, which for 15 centuries was respected by those who exercised power in this place. We will be by your side," Androulakis emphasised.

The Archbishop expressed his gratitude to the Greek people for the "spiritual reflexes" they demonstrated. "We ask the Greek people for a just and strong struggle, but not a fanatical one," he said.