UK-Greece deal on Parthenon Sculptures ‘close’ | Global News Avenue

A former adviser to the Greek government has told the BBC that a deal that could see the Parthenon sculptures returned to Greece is “close”.

Professor Irene Stamatudi said “negotiations appear to be progressing” over the relocation of the antiquities, also known as the Elgin Marbles, which were taken from Athens more than 200 years ago and are now on display In the British Museum.

Sir Keir Starmer and his Greek counterpart met in Downing Street on Tuesday, but No 10 said the issue was not on the agenda.

The official report of the meeting released by Downing Street made no mention of the issues being discussed, although Greek public broadcaster ERT claimed it had been discussed.

The meeting comes amid reports that talks over a deal to move the statue to Athens have recently made progress.

The status of the sculptures has been a source of diplomatic tension between Britain and Greece for decades.

Greece Said they were stolen, But the British Museum denies this and says they were obtained legally. Dialogue between Greece and museums Ongoing since 2021.

Professor Stamatudi, who advised Greece’s culture minister on previous negotiations over the Elgin Marbles, told BBC Radio 4’s Today program she believed “a deal is close” but was unsure if it was “close enough” “.

She said the Greek government had proposed a “strategic cultural partnership” that would include sending other artifacts to the British Museum to fill the galleries vacated by the return.

Professor Stamatodi said talks over sending artefacts to the British Museum were “secret”, adding that while she was not personally involved in this round of negotiations, she believed it would involve “artefacts that attract public attention”.

Professor Stamody said ensuring their return was “something that all Greeks are passionate about” as the antiquities were widely considered part of the country’s “cultural heritage”.

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

Last year, then-Chancellor Rishi Sunak sparked a diplomatic row over the issue. He canceled a planned meeting with Mitsotakis after Mitsotakis said he would use the meeting to raise issues.

The previous government said the sculptures should remain in museums. Labour’s objection is that if there is a loan arrangement between the British Museum and Athens, they will not block it.

Athens government sources told Greek media that Mitsotakis wanted to “engage” with Starmer Following a meeting between the two in November 2023.

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

He also denied sky news report Three private meetings were held between senior Greek officials and members of the British Museum board.

Asked whether the return of the marbles had been discussed, Starmer’s official spokesman said: “The Government’s position is that we have no plans to change the law to allow permanent relocation and decisions relating to the care and management of the sculptures It is a matter for the Trustees of the British Museum, which operates independently of the Government.”

Starmer is thought to be more open to relocating the statue than his predecessor, provided an agreement can be reached between the Greek government and the British Museum.

The Elgin Marbles were made in the 5th century BC and were originally displayed in the Parthenon in Athens. They are considered one of the most precious artifacts from the ancient Greek period.

They were removed by the British nobleman Lord Elgin when Athens was part of the Ottoman Empire and were severely damaged on the way to London, where they have been on display ever since.

A law called the British Museum Act 1963 prohibits the removal of collections from the British Museum.

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

But the Greek government has previously said it would not agree to the loan because it would recognize the British Museum’s ownership of the sculptures.