Greek PM dismisses reports of imminent repatriation of Parthenon Marbles

Visitors can view the Elgin Marbles, also known as the Parthenon Marbles, at the British Museum in London on January 9, 2023. DANIEL LEAL AFP ATHENS Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has dismissed reports of an imminent repatriation of the Parthenon sculptures known as the Elgin marbles in Britain.

Britain and Greece have been in talks over a possible deal to end the long-running dispute. Greece has repeatedly asked the British Museum to return the 2,500-year-old sculptures that British diplomat Lord Elgin removed from the Parthenon temple in the early 19th century when he was ambassador to the Ottoman Empire.

In a televised meeting with President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, conservative premier Mitsotakis, whose term ends in July, said he hopes to achieve the repatriation if he wins a second term.

READ MORE: British Museum in ''constructive discussions over Parthenon marbles

I don't expect immediate results but I believe that we have already moved very systematically, Mitsotakis said.

I believe that we could achieve this target after the Greek people trust us again. On January 9, 2023, visitors look at the Elgin Marbles, also known as the Parthenon Marbles, at the British Museum in London. DANIEL LEAL AFP Greece has accused Lord Elgin of theft and does not recognize the British Museum as the owner of the sculptures.

The Parthenon, which is located on the Acropolis in Athens, was completed in the fifth century BC as a temple to goddess Athena and its decorative friezes contain some of the greatest examples of ancient Greek sculpture.

The British Museum has always rejected returning the parts in its collection, which include about half of the 160 meter 525 ft frieze that adorned the Parthenon. The museum maintains they were legally acquired, citing British laws that prevent removing objects from the collection except in certain circumstances.

READ MORE: Greece PM senses the'momentum' in 'Elgin Marbles' talks with Britain

Recent news reports in both countries said that an agreement between Athens and the museum was close to allowing the sculptures to be returned as part of an exchange deal or loan program.

Mitsotakis said on Wednesday that Greece wants to return the antiquities so that not only we, Greeks, but all, including visitors, can see and enjoy this universal monument in its entirety, in its natural space, as the British culture minister Michelle Donelan told BBC Radio on Wednesday that the Parthenon marbles belong to the UK, and that returning them would open the door to the question of the entire contents of our museums. ALSO READ: Britain is the owner of Parthenon marbles, UK PM tells Greece

Many countries have pressured British institutions to return looted artifacts, especially given that the British Museum only displays about 1 percent of its collection.

They do belong here in the UK, where we've cared for them for a great deal of time, where we've allowed access to them, Donelan said.