Elgin Marbles: UK-Greece deal on Parthenon Sculptures 'close'

"Ex-Greek Official: Parthenon Sculptures Deal Near"

A former adviser to the Greek government informed the BBC that an agreement to potentially bring the Parthenon Sculptures back to Greece is nearing completion.

Professor Irene Stamatoudi mentioned that it appears discussions have progressed regarding the potential relocation of the artifacts, commonly referred to as the Elgin Marbles. These pieces were removed from Athens over two centuries ago and are currently housed in the British Museum.

This happened while Sir Keir Starmer was having discussions with his Greek counterpart at Downing Street on Tuesday; however, it's not known if the topic of the Elgin Marbles came up.

An official summary of the meeting shared by No 10 did not reference this matter, although Greece's public broadcaster ERT stated that it was discussed during the conversations.

A spokesperson for Downing Street declined to comment on whether the matter had been talked about, simply stating: “Naturally, the Greek Prime Minister likely brought up various topics, but... their conversation centered around mutual areas of collaboration.”

The meeting took place following news that discussions about a potential agreement to transfer the statues to Athens have made recent advancements.

The condition of the sculptures has been a contentious issue in the diplomatic relationship between the UK and Greece for many years.

Greece claims that the artifacts were taken from them unlawfully, while the British Museum stands firm, asserting that they were acquired through proper channels. Discussions between Greece and the museum have been underway since 2021.

Professor Stamatoudi, who has served as an adviser to the Greek culture minister in past discussions regarding the Elgin Marbles, shared her thoughts on BBC Radio 4’s Today program. She expressed her belief that "a deal is near," but mentioned that she wasn't certain if it was "near enough."

She mentioned that the Greek government has suggested a "cultural and strategic partnership" that would involve sending additional artifacts to the British Museum. This would help occupy the space that would become available if any items were returned.

Prof. Stamatoudi mentioned that discussions regarding what could be transferred to the British Museum are confidential. Although she is not directly participating in these current discussions, she suspects that they will include "historical artifacts that capture public interest."

Professor Statamoudi stated that the effort to reclaim the artifacts is something that "all Greeks care deeply about" since these items are generally recognized as integral to the nation's "cultural heritage."

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has prioritized the effort to bring back the Elgin Marbles.

The situation led to a diplomatic disagreement last year when former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called off a scheduled meeting with Mitsotakis after the latter suggested he would bring up the matter during their discussion.

The former government stated that the statues should stay in the museum. In contrast, Labour expressed that they would not oppose an agreement for a loan between the British Museum and Athens if such an arrangement were made.

According to official sources in Athens, Greek media report that Mitsotakis aims to reconnect with Starmer after their meeting in November 2023.

Earlier this week, Greek government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis mentioned that Mitsotakis would discuss the matter again with Starmer, but he emphasized that it’s primarily an issue for the British Museum rather than the government itself.

He also refuted a Sky News report claiming that there had been three private meetings between high-ranking Greek officials and members of the British Museum's board of directors.

When asked about the possibility of the marbles being returned, Starmer's spokesperson replied, "The government's stance is that we do not intend to amend the law to allow for a permanent relocation. Decisions regarding the care and management of the sculptures are the responsibility of the British Museum's trustees, who operate independently from the government."

Downing Street stated that the government has not received any request regarding a proposal for returning items from the British Museum.

Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis arrived at Downing Street on Tuesday morning.

Starmer is believed to be more receptive to the idea of moving the statues compared to his predecessor, as long as a suitable agreement can be reached between the Greek government and the British Museum.

The Elgin Marbles were made in the 5th century BC and were initially showcased in the Parthenon in Athens. They are regarded as some of the most valuable artifacts from Ancient Greece.

A British nobleman named Lord Elgin took them while Athens was under Ottoman rule, and they suffered significant damage during their journey to London, where they have been exhibited ever since.

A law established in 1963, known as the British Museum Act, prohibits the removal of items from the museum's collection.

The British Museum's trustees are looking into the option of setting up a special loan agreement with Greece.

However, the Greek government has stated in the past that it will not accept a loan, as doing so would imply recognition of the British Museum's ownership of the sculptures.

Further contributions were made by Tom Symonds and Nikos Papanikolaou.

Greek Prime Minister Compares Elgin Marbles to Splitting the Mona Lisa in Two While Calling for Their Return to Greece.