Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has said Greece and the British Museum remain far from a “positive outcome” on the Parthenon Marbles, despite a rise in British public support for their return.
Speaking at Kathimerini’s “Reimagine Tourism in Greece” conference during a panel on cultural heritage, Mitsotakis described negotiations as “a complicated issue” and acknowledged, “I don’t think we have made as much progress as I would like.”
He said the museum’s planned renovation could “present new opportunities,” while reiterating that the sculptures belong in the Acropolis Museum, adding: “This is not a typical restitution argument. This is a reunification argument.”
He noted Greece could offer a partnership allowing the British Museum to display Greek artefacts that have never left the country.
British author Victoria Hislop, also on the panel, said there is “a growing opinion among the British public that the sculptures should come home,” arguing that Egypt’s recent call for the Rosetta Stone has intensified scrutiny of the British Museum and could accelerate the marbles’ return.
Source: Ekathimerini.
