Greece’s Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said in Parliament on Monday that achieving an agreement for the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece by the British Museum “is difficult but not impossible.”
Ms Mendoni made her comment in response to a question by KINAL-PASOK Deputy Dimitris Konstantopoulos, who said the government should be transparent about the issue.
The Greek Culture Minister reiterated that Greece does not recognise any claims or ownership of the British Museum over the Parthenon Marbles, as they comprise a product of theft.
Mendoni said that the Greek government’s stance “remains national, unanimous, consistent and clear.”
“The government has been working from the start systematically, responsibly, and effectively to achieve the national goal – the return and reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures to Athens and the Acropolis Museum,” the minister added.
This latest statement by Mendoni comes as reports emerged earlier this month that “constructive discussions” were underway between The British Museum and Greece about returning the Parthenon Marbles to Athens.
The 2,500 year old marble was removed from the Acropolis in the early 19th century by British diplomat Lord Elgin and placed on display in Britain. At the time, Lord Elgin was an ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, which then ruled Greece.
Since their removal, Greece has repeatedly called for the permanent return of the ancient sculptures. Yet Britain has been defiant, saying the sculptures were legally acquired and UK law prevents it from breaking its historical collection.
READ MORE: Victorian Premier calls for the ‘immediate return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece’.
Source: Ekathimerini.
