Greek PM criticizes Sunak as Elgin Marbles row escalates – POLITICO

ATHENS — Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis criticized his British counterpart Rishi Sunak on Monday in what appeared to be a bitter escalation of a long-running dispute over the Parthenon Marbles.

The two were scheduled to meet on Tuesday, but Sunak canceled their meeting late on Monday, a move that Greek government officials attributed to Mitsotakis’ recent strong insistence on the return of ancient sculptures from the British Museum.

Mitsotakis said: “I express my annoyance that the British Prime Minister canceled our scheduled meeting just hours before it was scheduled to take place.”

He added that “everyone who believes in the rightness and justice of his positions is never afraid to face arguments,” pointing out that Greece’s position on the issue of the so-called “Elgin Marbles” was known.

The marble sculptures were removed from Athens by diplomat and art lover Lord Elgin in the 19th century and have been housed in London ever since.

Activists – most famously the late singer and actress Melina Mercouri – have called for years for their return to Greece, and talks were held between the museum and Greek officials last year to discuss possible loan arrangements. However, Sunak in March ruled out any change to current legislation preventing the British Museum from permanently returning the marbles to Greece.

Saturday, Financial Times Mitsotakis said he would discuss the issue with British Labor Party leader Keir Starmer, who said he would not prevent a possible agreement to loan parts of the sculptures to Greece if he became prime minister.

On Sunday, Mitsotakis expressed his regret at the lack of progress on the issue during an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

The cancellation came after Mitsotakis’ meeting with Starmer. Downing Street confirmed that Sunak did not hold any public meetings on Tuesday and that Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden was due to meet Mitsotakis.

Greek government officials said Mitsotakis denied that he would hold a meeting with Doden.

A Greek government official said: “It is clear that we will continue to press on this issue, and our main interlocutor on this issue is the British Museum.”