Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis conveyed his dissatisfaction with the pace of discussions on the potential return of the British Museum’s Parthenon Sculptures to Athens. As he prepared to meet British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak later in the week, Mitsotakis expressed his patience but emphasized the need for progress.
The Elgin Marbles, consisting of 75 meters of Parthenon frieze, 15 metopes, and 17 sculptures, were removed by diplomat Lord Elgin in the early 19th century while serving as ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, then ruling Greece. Mitsotakis asserted that negotiations have not advanced as much as he would like, stating on BBC television,
“I’m a patient man, and we’ve waited for hundreds of years, and I will persist in these discussions. We feel that the sculptures belong to Greece and that they were essentially stolen.”
While British officials maintain that the acquisition of the works was legal, Mitsotakis downplayed the ownership aspect and emphasized the importance of reuniting the sculptures with those in Athens. In March, Sunak ruled out a permanent return based on existing legislation, but the law does not prohibit a loan.
Former British finance minister George Osborne, currently chairman of the museum’s trustees, expressed hope for a deal that would allow the sculptures “to be seen in Athens.” Mitsotakis is scheduled to meet Sunak on Tuesday, following a meeting with Keir Starmer, leader of Britain’s opposition Labour Party. The Financial Times reported last week that Starmer would not block a “mutually acceptable” loan deal for the sculptures.
