Kyriakos Mitsotakis: "No" to loaning the Parthenon Sculptures
The Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, has sent a clear message to the British side regarding the issue of the return of the Parthenon Sculptures. In an interview with the Guardian, Mr. Mitsotakis emphasized that the Greek government cannot accept any agreement based on the logic of a loan.
According to the Prime Minister, such an arrangement would be problematic, as it would indirectly recognize the British Museum's ownership of the Sculptures. The Greek position remains firm: the Sculptures are the product of theft and must return permanently to Athens, to their natural home, the Acropolis Museum.
The discussion regarding the reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures has been one of the most significant issues in Greek foreign cultural policy for decades. The government is seeking a solution that ensures full ownership of the antiquities by the Greek state, rejecting any proposal that would turn the monuments into objects of exchange.
This stance by the Prime Minister confirms Greece's long-standing position, which demands international recognition of its right to its cultural heritage. The issue remains at the center of public discourse, while diplomatic efforts for the return of the Sculptures continue with the goal of finding a fair and permanent solution.