A former adviser to the Greek government has shared that a deal to return the Parthenon Sculptures, also known as the Elgin Marbles, to Greece is “close.” This development follows a meeting today between Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. While the official statement from Downing Street did not mention the issue, Greek broadcaster ERT reported that it was discussed.
As per the Leaders Asia sources, the Parthenon Sculptures, a collection of over 30 ancient stone pieces, have been at the center of a long-standing dispute between Greece and the UK. The sculptures, which date back more than 2,000 years, were taken from the Parthenon in Athens and other nearby temples by Thomas Bruce, the 7th Earl of Elgin, in the early 1800s. Elgin claimed he had permission from the Ottoman Empire, which ruled Athens at the time, though the original documents are lost and the validity of his claim has been debated.
In 1816, the British government purchased the sculptures from Lord Elgin, and they have been displayed in the British Museum ever since. Greece has called for their return since gaining independence in 1835, with the request repeated to the British government and UNESCO over the years. Prime Minister Mitsotakis has likened the situation to “cutting the Mona Lisa in half,” noting that nearly half of the sculptures remain in Greece.
According to the Leaders Asia sources, in 2022, Greece’s culture minister accused Elgin of committing “serial theft,” while discussions about the sculptures’ future have evolved over time. In 2023, George Osborne, chair of the British Museum’s trustees, stated that the museum is exploring a partnership with Greece, one that allows both sides to maintain their claims without requiring either to relinquish them.
The issue became a point of tension in November 2023 when UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak canceled a meeting with Mitsotakis regarding the sculptures. However, Labour’s stance has been more flexible, with Sir Keir Starmer reportedly more open to the idea of relocating the statues than his predecessor.
