Elgin Marbles: UK-Greece deal on Parthenon Sculptures ‘close’

A deal that could see the Parthenon Sculptures 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 – also known as the Elgin Marbles – which were taken from Athens more than 200 years ago and are displayed in the British Museum.

It came as Sir Keir Starmer and his Greek counterpart met for talks in Downing Street on Tuesday, though No 10 has said the issue is not on the agenda.

An official account of the meeting released by Downing Street made no mention of the issue being discussed, though Greek’s public broadcaster ERT claimed it had been.

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 sculptures has been a source of diplomatic tension between the UK and Greece for decades.

Greece says they 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.

Negotiations over what could be sent to the British Museum are “secret”, Prof Stamatoudi said, adding that while she is not personally involved in this round of talks, she believes it would involve “antiquities that attract public attention”.

Prof Statamoudi said securing the return is something “all Greeks are passionate about” as the antiquities are widely considered to be part of the country’s “cultural heritage”.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has made securing the return of the Elgin Marbles a political priority.

The issue caused a diplomatic spat last year when then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak cancelled a planned meeting with Mitsotakis after he indicated he would use it to raise the issue.

The previous government said the sculptures should remain in the museum. In opposition, Labour’s view was they wouldn’t stand in the way of a loan arrangement between the British Museum and Athens if one was arranged.

Government sources in Athens have told Greek media Mitsotakis wants to “pick up the thread” 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 more of a matter for the British Museum than the government.

He also denied a Sky News report that three private meetings had taken place between senior Greek officials and members of the British Museum board of directors.

Asked if they discussed the potential return of the marbles, Starmer’s official spokesman said: “The government’s position is that we have no plans to change the law that would permit a permanent move, and that the case of decisions relating to the care and management and sculptures are a matter for the trustees for the British Museum, which is operationally independent of the government.”

Starmer is thought to be more open to the statues being relocated than his predecessor, providing a deal can be struck between the Greek government and the British Museum.

The Elgin Marbles were crafted in the 5th century BC and were originally displayed in the Parthenon in Athens. They are considered among the most prized antiquities from the Ancient Greek period.

They were removed by British aristocrat Lord Elgin while Athens was part of the Ottoman Empire and were badly damaged en route to London, where they have been displayed since.

A law called the 1963 British Museum Act prevents the removal of objects from the British Museum’s collection.

The trustees of the British Museum are exploring the possibility of a special loan arrangement with Greece.

But the Greek government has previously said it will not agree to a loan as this would acknowledge the British Museum’s ownership of the sculptures.