Athens – UK-EU rapprochement raises Greece’s hopes for the return of the Parthenon sculptures

ATHENS, October 6 /ATSH-DPA/ – Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said today that statements by Britain and the European Union could open the way for the return to Greece of the Parthenon sculptures, also known as the “Elgin Marbles”.

Greece and the United Kingdom have had a dispute for decades over these sculptures, which are currently in the British Museum in London.

“The Parthenon sculptures will also be part of the discussions,” Mitsotakis said at a conference in Athens.

He stressed that this issue is important not only for Greece, but also for Europe.

The dispute over the ownership of the sculptures has continued for many decades.

The Parthenon is one of the most famous monuments of ancient Greece and is located on the Acropolis, in Athens.

At the beginning of the 19th century, the British diplomat Lord Elgin took from the Parthenon some of the best-preserved marble pieces and sculptures from the temple’s decorations and sent them to London.

In 1816, he sold these objects to the British Museum.

Since then, Greece has been demanding that the sculptures be returned permanently to Greece, so that they can be reunited with the other parts of the Parthenon monument that are in Athens.

At the end of September, Burnham said that Britain’s exit from the EU, Brexit, has brought the UK more harm than benefit.

He left open various possibilities for Britain’s future relations with the EU, including the possibility that the UK could return to the European Union.

Greece aims for the sculptures to be exhibited at the Acropolis Museum in Athens.