Culture News

Greece will 'ramp up' its Parthenon marbles claim and ties it to Britain's EU reset

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Tuesday, October 6, that Greece would step up its campaign to bring the Parthenon marbles home from the British Museum. Speaking at a conference in Athens, he conceded for the first time that talks with the museum, chaired by George Osborne, had not progressed, The Guardian reported.

“We will very clearly ramp up the intensity of our claims, not just with the British Museum, but also with the British government.” — Kyriakos Mitsotakis, via The Guardian

Mitsotakis reminded his audience that the UK prime minister, Andy Burnham, supported returning the sculptures before he took office, and linked the issue to Burnham's wish for closer ties with the EU. “It's an issue for Europe,” he said. He still sees room for a “win-win” deal, in which treasures from Athens's National Archaeological Museum, due to close for renovation, would travel to the UK in exchange.

The British Museum has held about 160 metres of the frieze since 1816. To Vima had earlier reported Burnham's shift to saying the decision is the museum's to make.

How each outlet framed it

• The Guardian — the first public admission that talks stalled, and Greek disappointment over Burnham's changed stance.
• Arab News Pakistan — the diplomatic angle: Greece wants the marbles in the EU-UK debate.
• Greek City Times — the diaspora view, linking the return to EU-UK talks.
• To Vima — background from Athens on Burnham's 'museum's call' position.

What we don't know yet: When Mitsotakis will meet Burnham, and whether London will respond. Talks so far have centred on a 'hybrid' deal, which Mitsotakis says has not progressed.