ATHENS: Tensions between Greece and the United Kingdom over the long-standing dispute regarding the Parthenon Sculptures took center stage as British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called off a scheduled meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in London. Despite the cancellation being labeled as “unfortunate,” Mitsotakis expressed optimism that it would not adversely affect the broader relationship between the two nations in the long term.
The dispute centers on Greece’s repeated calls for the permanent return of the 2,500-year-old Parthenon Sculptures, also known as the Elgin Marbles, currently housed in the British Museum. The sculptures were removed by British diplomat Lord Elgin in 1806 during a period when Greece was under Ottoman Turkish rule.
Approximately half of the 160-meter frieze from the Parthenon is located in the British Museum, while the remaining 50 meters is housed in the Acropolis Museum in Greece.
Greek’s Longstanding Position on Parthenon Sculptures
The cancellation of the meeting was prompted by the British government’s assertion that Mitsotakis, during a recent BBC interview, had breached assurances not to publicly raise the issue of the sculptures’ return. Greek officials argued that Mitsotakis had merely reiterated the country’s longstanding position on the matter.
Addressing the cancellation, Mitsotakis deemed the move disrespectful and highlighted that it prevented the two leaders from discussing crucial global issues. Despite the immediate strain, the Greek Prime Minister expressed confidence that the incident would not have lasting repercussions on bilateral relations.
“I believe the move (cancellation) will not hurt relations between Greece and Britain in the longer term,” Mitsotakis conveyed to Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou.
In the aftermath of the canceled meeting, Mitsotakis noted a positive aspect, stating, “The cancellation of this meeting also had a positive side. Greece’s just demand for the reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures received even more publicity, not only in the UK but also internationally.”
