Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Tuesday said the return of the Parthenon Marbles from Britain must form part of any discussions about closer ties between the United Kingdom and the European Union.
Speaking at a conference in Athens, Mitsotakis said years of negotiations with the British Museum, which has held the ancient sculptures for more than two centuries, had made little progress.
His remarks followed comments last week by UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who said he was open to various options for Britain’s future relationship with Europe, including rejoining the EU.
“The Parthenon sculptures... will be part of this debate. This is not just an issue for Greece, it’s an issue for Europe,” Mitsotakis said, stressing the wider cultural significance of the dispute.
Greece maintains that the sculptures were removed from the Parthenon in 1802 by British diplomat Lord Elgin without legitimate authority. The British government, however, has maintained that they were legally acquired before being sold to the British Museum.
Mitsotakis, whose government faces elections early next year, said he intended to intensify Greece’s efforts to secure the sculptures’ return through renewed engagement with both the British government and the museum.
His administration has long proposed a cultural exchange arrangement under which the British Museum would receive temporary access to other Greek archaeological treasures that have never left the country in return for the Parthenon Marbles.
The Greek leader said he would make the case for “cultural diplomacy” to Burnham, arguing that the issue should be approached as an opportunity for cooperation rather than a source of continued disagreement.
However, the British government’s longstanding position is that decisions concerning the sculptures rest with the British Museum, which operates independently of ministers.
The museum also faces legal restrictions under a 1963 law that prevents it from permanently disposing of objects in its collection, meaning a permanent return of the Marbles would require legislative action by British lawmakers.
The Parthenon, an ancient temple dedicated to the goddess Athena, was built on the Acropolis in Athens during the fifth century BC. Its sculptures are considered among the most significant surviving examples of classical Greek art.
Greece has repeatedly called for their reunification with the remaining sculptures displayed at the Acropolis, arguing that bringing them together would restore an important part of the country’s cultural heritage.
A dedicated museum has been built in Athens to house the Marbles should they be returned, providing a purpose-built setting for their display alongside other surviving Parthenon sculptures.
The dispute remains a longstanding point of tension between Athens and London, with Greece continuing to pursue negotiations and cultural diplomacy to secure the sculptures’ return. -AFP
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