UK-Greece deal over Parthenon Sculptures ‘close’

A deal that could see the Parthenon Sculptures returned to Greece is “imminent”, a former adviser to the country’s government has told the BBC.

Professor Irene Stamatoudi said “it appears that negotiations have progressed” over the transfer of the antiquities – also known as the Elgin Marbles – which were taken from Athens more than 200 years ago and put on display at the British Museum.

It came as Sir Keir Starmer and his Greek counterpart met for talks in Downing Street on Tuesday – although it is unclear whether the Elgin Marbles were discussed.

The official account of the meeting released by Number 10 made no mention of it, although Greek public broadcaster ERT said it had been raised in discussions.

A Downing Street spokesman refused to be drawn on whether or not discussions had taken place, saying only: “Understandably, the Greek Prime Minister would have raised a number of issues but…

This meeting was reported that the negotiations regarding the agreement to move these images to Athens have just progressed.

The status of the photos has been a source of tension between the UK and Greece for decades.

Greece you say they were stolen, but the British Museum rejects that and says they were legally acquired. Dialogues between Greece and the museum from 2021.

Professor Stamatoudi, who advised the Greek culture minister during the previous Elgin Marbles talks, told BBC Radio 4’s Today program that he believed “a deal was close” but was not sure it was “close enough”.

He said the Greek government proposed a “cultural, strategic partnership” that would involve other antiquities being sent to the British Museum to fill the gallery that would be left vacant by the return.

Discussions about what can be sent to the British Museum are “confidential”, Prof Stamatoudi said, adding that although he was not personally involved in the series of discussions, he believed they would include “antiquities of public interest”.

Professor Statamoudi said getting the money back is something “all Greeks are passionate about” as antiquities are widely considered part of the country’s “cultural heritage”.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has made the return of the Elgin Marbles a political priority.

This issue caused controversy last year when former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak canceled a planned meeting with Mitsotakis after he indicated that he would use it to raise the issue.

The previous government said that these sculptures should remain in the museum. In opposition, Labor’s view was that they would not stand in the way of a loan between the British Museum and Athens if it was arranged.

Government sources in Athens have told Greek media that Mitsotakis wants to “pick a line” with Starmer following a meeting between the two in November 2023.

Earlier this week, Greek government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said Mitsotakis would discuss the issue with Starmer again, but that was a matter for the British Museum rather than the government.

He also denied a Sky News report that there were three private meetings between senior Greek officials and members of the board of directors of the British Museum.

Asked if they are discussing the possible return of the marbles, Starmer’s spokesperson said: “The government’s view is that we have no plans to change the law to allow it to go forever, and that it is a matter of decisions about care and management and health care. sculptures are a matter for the trustees of the British Museum, which does not operate independently of the government.”

Downing Street also said the government had never been asked to consider any return proposal by the British Museum.

Starmer is thought to be more open to moving the statues than his predecessor, providing an agreement between the Greek government and the British Museum.

The Elgin Marbles were created in the 5th century BC and were first displayed in the Parthenon in Athens. They are considered to be the most famous artifacts from the time of the Ancient Greeks.

It was removed by British nobleman Lord Elgin when Athens was part of the Ottoman Empire and badly injured on the way to London, where it has been exhibited ever since.

The 1963 British Museum Act prohibits the removal of items from the British Museum’s collection.

The trustees of the British Museum are exploring the possibility of a special loan program with Greece.

But the Greek government has said that it will not accept the loan as this would acknowledge that the British Museum is the owner of the sculptures.

Additional reporting by Tom Symonds and Nikos Papanikolaou