Greek PM and British Museum hold talks over return of ancient Elgin Marbles
Greek Premier Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the British Museum officials held private meetings over the return of the ancient Elgin Marbles, according to a UK media report on Monday.
Mitsotakis and Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis had up to three private meetings with trustees of the British Museum and chair George Osborne about returning the Elgin Marbles, also known as the Parthenon Sculptures, this year.
The news came ahead of PM Mitsotakis’ visit to London, where he is expected to discuss the sculptures in a meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Tuesday.
Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak cancelled a meeting with Mitsotakis last year and believed the collection should remain in the UK. Conversely, PM Starmer is believed to be more supportive of returning the sculptures.
Meanwhile, a government spokesperson said it has “no plans to change existing government policy on restitution,” saying it is a matter for the British Museum.
The marble statues, originally part of the friezes on the 2,500-year-old Parthenon temple, have been displayed at the museum for over 200 years. They were removed by Lord Elgin during his tenure as British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire in the early 19th century, which then ruled Greece.
Elgin claimed he had been given permission by the Ottoman Empire for the transfer of the sculptures and sold them to the UK government in 1816 before the marbles were passed into the trusteeship of the British Museum.
The majority of the sculptures were created in the 5th century BC under the direction of ancient Greek sculptor and architect Phidias.
The British Museum Act 1963 prevents treasures from being legally given away by the museum.
