Progress in Parthenon Marbles Talks, But Agreement Still Distant

Negotiations between Greece and the British Museum focus on a potential loan arrangement for the contested sculptures, but legal and diplomatic hurdles remain.

The British Museum and Greece are in ongoing discussions about a potential long-term loan of the Parthenon Marbles, with Greece offering to lend artifacts in exchange.
British Museum chairman George Osborne described the talks as constructive but emphasized that an agreement is still far from being finalized.
Greek officials, including Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, have made the return of the marbles a cultural priority, maintaining they were illegally removed during Ottoman rule.
UK law prohibits the British Museum from permanently transferring items in its collection, making a loan the most viable option for now.
Public and international pressure for the marbles' return has grown, with recent polls showing a majority of Britons supporting their repatriation to Greece.