EPA
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 it is unclear whether the Elgin Marbles were discussed.
An official account of the meeting released by No 10 made no mention of it, though Greek’s public broadcaster ERT claimed it had been raised in the talks.
A Downing Street spokesperson refused to be drawn over whether or not it had been discussed, saying only: “Understandably, the Greek Prime Minister would have raised many issues but… their discussion focused on areas of shared cooperation.”
The meeting came 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 M
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