21 hours ago
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A woody that could spot the Elgin Marbles returned to Greece is "close", a erstwhile advisor to the country's authorities has told the BBC.
Prof Irene Stamatoudi said it "seems negotiations person gone forward" implicit relocating the antiquities, which were taken from Athens much than 200 years agone and are displayed successful the British Museum.
It comes up of a gathering betwixt Sir Keir Starmer and his Greek counterpart successful Downing Street connected Tuesday.
No 10 has said the contented is not connected the docket - though fixed it is simply a governmental precedence for the Greek premier minister, helium could take to rise it.
The gathering comes amid reports that talks implicit a woody which would spot the statues moved to Athens person precocious progressed.
The presumption of the Elgin Marbles - besides known arsenic the Parthenon Sculptures - has been a root of diplomatic hostility betwixt the UK and Greece for decades.
Greece says the sculptures were stolen, but the British Museum rejects that and says they were legally obtained. Talks betwixt Greece and the depository have been going connected since 2021.
Prof Stamatoudi, who advised the Greek civilization curate during erstwhile Elgin Marbles negotiations, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme she believes "a woody is close" but was unsure if it was "close enough".
She said the Greek authorities has projected a "cultural, strategical partnership" which would impact different antiquities being sent to the British Museum to capable the assemblage which would beryllium near vacant by immoderate return.
Negotiations implicit what could beryllium sent to the British Museum are "secret", Prof Stamatoudi said, adding that portion she is not personally progressive successful this circular of talks, she believes it would impact "antiquities that pull nationalist attention".
Prof Statamoudi said securing the instrumentality is thing "all Greeks are passionate about" arsenic the antiquities are wide considered to beryllium portion of the country’s "cultural heritage".
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has made securing the instrumentality of the Elgin Marbles a governmental priority.
The contented caused a diplomatic spat past twelvemonth erstwhile then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak cancelled a planned gathering with Mitsotakis aft helium indicated helium would usage it to rise the issue.
The erstwhile authorities said the sculptures should stay successful the museum. In opposition, Labour's presumption was they wouldn't basal successful the mode of a indebtedness statement betwixt the British Museum and Athens if 1 was arranged.
Government sources successful Athens person told Greek media Mitsotakis wants to "pick up the thread" with Starmer following a gathering betwixt the brace successful November 2023.
Earlier this week, Greek authorities spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis said Mitsotakis would rise the contented again with Starmer but that it was much of a substance for the British Museum than the government.
He besides denied a Sky News report that 3 backstage meetings had taken spot betwixt elder Greek officials and members of the British Museum committee of directors.
Starmer is thought to beryllium much unfastened to the statues being relocated than his predecessor, providing a woody tin beryllium struck betwixt the Greek authorities and the British Museum.
The Elgin Marbles were crafted successful the 5th period BC and were primitively displayed successful the Parthenon successful Athens. They are considered among the astir prized antiquities from the Ancient Greek period.
They were removed by British aristocrat Lord Elgin portion Athens was portion of the Ottoman Empire and were severely damaged en way to London, wherever they person been displayed since.
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