Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis vowed to increase efforts to regain the Parthenon marbles from the British Museum. Mitsotakis stated that talks concerning a 'hybrid' arrangement to return the fifth-century BC marbles failed to advance.
The British Museum has kept sculptures from the Parthenon for over two centuries. Specifically, the museum has displayed approximately 160 metres of the frieze since 1816.
Mitsotakis suggested that the issue of the Parthenon sculptures concerns Europe as a whole, not solely Greece. He further suggested that the return of the sculptures to Athens would establish a precedent for a cultural partnership between Greece and the UK.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis also claimed that the new prime minister of the UK showed support for the sculptures' return before taking office. Furthermore, Mitsotakis stated that Andy Burnham was hugely supportive of restitution efforts before he moved into Downing Street.
The Parthenon sculptures were originally divided between Athens and London following their removal by Lord Elgin over 200 years ago. Mitsotakis conceded that negotiations with the British Museum, overseen by its chair, George Osborne, could not make progress.
The National Archaeological Museum in Athens is currently undergoing renovation and is facing imminent closure.
