A deal that could see the Elgin Marbles returned to Greece is “close”, a former adviser to the country’s government has told the BBC. Prof Irene Stamatoudi said it “seems negotiations have gone forward” over relocating the antiquities, which were taken from Athens more than 200 years ago and are displayed in the British Museum.
It comes ahead of a meeting between Sir Keir Starmer and his Greek counterpart in Downing Street on Tuesday. No 10 has said the issue is not on the agenda – though given it is a political priority for the Greek prime minister, he could choose to raise it.
The meeting comes amid reports that talks over a deal which would see the statues moved to Athens have recently progressed. The status of the Elgin Marbles – also known as the Parthenon Sculptures – has been a source of diplomatic tension between 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 between Greece and the museum have been going on since 2021.
Prof Stamatoudi, who advised the Greek culture minister during previous Elgin Marbles negotiations, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme she believes “a deal is close” but was unsure if it was “close enough”.
She said the Greek government has proposed a “cultural, strategic partnership” which would involve other antiquities being sent to the British Museum to fill the gallery which would be left vacant by any return.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has made securing the return of the Elgin Marbles a political priority.
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