Greek PM, British Museum held ‘private meetings’ ahead of visit, report says

The potential return of the Parthenon Sculptures has been the subject of what Britain’s Sky News described as “private meetings.”

According to the report Monday, a senior UK government source revealed that Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis held up to three private discussions with British Museum trustees and its chair, George Osborne, about the possible repatriation of the 2,500-year-old sculptures this year.

The report surfaces as Mitsotakis is set to meet with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on Tuesday, where the sculptures are expected to be a key topic of discussion. This follows the cancellation of a meeting between Mitsotakis and former British prime minister Rishi Sunak in 2023. Sunak had maintained that the collection should remain in the British Museum.

In contrast, Sir Keir is believed to be more open to the idea of returning the sculptures. A source close to Starmer was quoted in the Financial Times, stating: “We are open to whatever is agreed. It’s right to say there is no strong view on what should happen.”

The antiquities, often referred to as the Elgin Marbles, were removed in the early 19th century by Lord Elgin, Britain’s ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, which ruled Greece at the time. Greece has long advocated for their repatriation.

The British Museum asserts that Lord Elgin acquired the sculptures legally, claiming he obtained an imperial edict, or “firman,” from Ottoman authorities permitting their removal.

Source: ekathimerini.com