EPAA former adviser to the country’s government told the BBC that a deal that could bring the Parthenon sculptures back to Greece is “close”.
Professor Irene Stamatoudi said “it appears that negotiations have progressed” over the relocation of the artifacts – also known as the Elgin Marbles – which were taken from Athens more than 200 years ago and displayed at the British Museum.
It comes 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.
An official account of the meeting published by Number 10 made no mention of it, although Greek public broadcaster ERT claimed it was raised during the talks.
A Downing Street spokesman refused to ask whether the issue had been discussed, saying only: “Understandably, the Greek Prime Minister would have raised many issues but… their discussion was focused into areas of common cooperation.
The meeting comes amid reports that negotiations on a deal to transfer the statues to Athens have recently progressed.
The condition of the sculptures has been a source of diplomatic tension between Britain and Greece for decades.
Greece say they were stolen, but the British Museum denies that and says they were obtained legally. Negotiations between Greece and the museum has been taking place since 2021.
Professor Stamatoudi, who advised the Greek culture minister on the previous Elgin Marbles negotiations, told BBC Radio 4’s Today program that she believed “a deal was close” but was not sure whether it is “close enough” or not.
She said the Greek government had proposed a “strategic, cultural partnership” that would see other antiquities sent to the British Museum to fill galleries that would otherwise be left empty. any returns.
Professor Stamatoudi said negotiations over what could be sent to the British Museum were “confidential”, adding that although she was not personally involved in this round of negotiations, she believed it would involve “artifacts that attract public attention”.
Professor Statamoudi said ensuring the return is something “all Greeks are passionate about” as antiquities are considered by many to be part of the country’s “cultural heritage”.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has made ensuring the return of the Elgin Marbles a political priority.
The issue sparked a diplomatic row last year when Chancellor Rishi Sunak canceled a planned meeting with Mitsotakis after he said he would use it to raise the issue.
The government previously said the sculptures should be kept in museums. By contrast, Labour’s position is that it will not stand in the way of a loan agreement between the British Museum and Athens if one is arranged.
Government sources in Athens have told Greek media that Mitsotakis wants to “start a relationship” with Starmer following a meeting between the pair in November 2023.
Earlier this week, Greek government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said Mitsotakis would raise the issue again with Starmer but that it was a matter for the British Museum rather than the government.
He also denied one Reported by Sky News that three private meetings took place between senior Greek officials and members of the British Museum’s board of directors.
When asked if they had discussed the possibility of returning the marbles, Starmer’s official spokesman said: “The government’s position is that we have no plans to change the law to allow permanent removal and where decisions relating to the care and management of the sculpture are a matter for the trustees of the British Museum, who operate independently of the government.”
Downing Street also said the government had not been asked by the British Museum to consider any refund proposals.
ReutersStarmer is said to be more open to removing the statues than his predecessor, provided an agreement can be reached between the Greek government and the British Museum.
The Elgin Marbles were crafted in the 5th century BC and were originally displayed at the Parthenon in Athens. They are considered among the most prized antiquities from ancient Greece.
They were removed by British aristocrat Lord Elgin while Athens was part of the Ottoman Empire and were heavily damaged on their way to London, where they have been on display ever since.
A law known as the British Museum Act 1963 prevents the removal of objects from the British Museum’s collection.
The trustees of the British Museum are considering the possibility of special loan arrangements with Greece.
But the Greek government previously said it would not agree to a loan because it would assume the British Museum’s ownership of the sculptures.
