Sunak cancels meeting with Greek PMs due to issue around Parthenon artworks

 Sunak cancels meeting with Greek PMs due to issue around Parthenon artworks

The Parthenon sculptures, also referred to as the Elgin Marbles, have caused a diplomatic spat between the governments of Greece and the United Kingdom.

No 10 abruptly called off the meeting between Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Rishi Sunak, which was scheduled to take place in London.

"I am extremely disappointed by the sudden cancellation" of the meeting, he told reporters.

Mr. Mitsotakis turned down the deputy prime minister's offer of another meeting.

What will happen to the statues at the Parthenon?

The decision to cancel was made the day after Mr. Mitsotakis said to Laura Kuenssberg of the BBC that the marbles need to be returned since retaining part of the artifacts in London and the others in Athens would be equivalent to splitting the Mona Lisa.

The meeting was canceled "only a few hours before scheduled," the Greek prime minister told reporters on Monday night. He added, "Those who believe extremely in the correctness as well as justice of their positions They never hesitate about participating in constructive argument and debate."

Mr. Mitsotakis declared: "Our bilateral relations are broad-ranging and have been characterized by long-standing friendship between Greece and Britain."

"Our stance on the Parthenon sculptures is well known. Along with discussing this topic, I had hoped to speak with my British colleague on other significant international issues including the migration crisis, the climate problem, and the conditions in Gaza and Ukraine.

According to those with knowledge of the attitude inside the Greek administration, Mr. Mitsotakis was "outraged" and "appalled".

The BBC said that the meeting was planned to last 45 minutes and was set to occur on Tuesday at midday.

However, Mr. Sunak was uneasy when Mr. Mitsotakis appeared on the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg show.

The Greek prime minister was promised a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden by the British government, which confirmed the cancelation.

According to a senior Conservative source, the meeting could not take place because of remarks made earlier in the day about the Elgin Marbles.

"We have no doubt about it: the Elgin Marbles belong in the permanent collection of the British Museum. Any politician in Britain who suggests that this is negotiable is being irresponsible."

Mr. Mitsotakis first got to know Labor leader Keir Starmer.

He has decided not to meet with Mr. Dowden and will instead go back to Greece on Tuesday after his planned morning engagements.

"slippery slope"

Don't undervalue the politics involved in this conflict.

Conservatives contend that in light of the popular opinions voiced on Sunday over the future of marbles, it was foolish for Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer to meet with the Greek leader.

Labor believes that they won't obstruct it if loan agreements are made between the British Museum and Athens.

A representative for the British government said that there were "no plans" to amend the British Museum Act of 1963, which forbids removing items from the collection of the organization.

However, the loan is possible independent of the British Prime Minister's opinion and does not need a change in the legislation.

As one conservative told me, many conservatives think that such a system would be a "slippery slope."

According to a party insider, "Keir Starmer is obviously eager to overlook the generations of British taxpayers who have sacrificed to preserve them and make them available to the world."

However, a Labor source stated that Mr. Sunak's actions were "pathetic" and that his stance was well-established, saying that a Labor administration would not alter the legislation to permit the permanent relocation of monuments.

"What a bizarre piece of culture war theater," said another insider.

"Keir Starmer's Labor Party is ready," an aide to Labor said. "If the Prime Minister is unable to meet with a European ally who were Britain has vital economic ties, it serves as proof that he is not able to provide the meaningful economic leadership our country needs."

Debt agreement located

The figurines are perhaps the most well-known artifacts in the ongoing discussion on whether or not museums worldwide should restore items to their original countries.

Early in the 1800s, they were taken out of the Parthenon Temple in Athens by the British soldier and statesman Lord Elgin. The British Museum now houses the sculptures that the British Government acquired in 1816.

The artist Phidias constructed the frieze that adorns the 2,500-year-old temple, which includes the marble figurines.

The sculptures are housed at the Parthenon Gallery of the Acropolis Museum, which was constructed over ten years ago. Plaster replicas of the genuine marble statues kept in the British Museum and other international institutions are on display.

At now, the British Museum Trustees are investigating the feasibility of entering into a loan agreement with Greece.

Former chancellor George Osborne, who chairs the British Museum's board of trustees, has expressed a desire to create "some kind of arrangement to allow some of the statues to spend some kind of their time in Greece."

In October, Mr. Osborne told the Culture, Media, and Sport Committee that under any agreement, "goods coming here from Greece" would happen for the first time.

Any decision is thought to be at least many months off.