UK-Greece Talks Signal Possible Progress on Parthenon Marbles Dispute

Discussions between Greek and UK leaders highlight potential cultural partnership, though legal and political hurdles remain.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer met in London, with Greece optimistic about the return of the Parthenon Marbles.
The British government maintains that decisions regarding the marbles rest with the British Museum, which is legally barred from permanently returning the sculptures under a 1963 law.
Negotiations reportedly center on a potential cultural exchange, with Greece offering significant artifacts in return for the marbles on a loan basis.
Public opinion in the UK appears to favor returning the marbles, with a recent poll showing 53% support for their repatriation to Greece.
The issue remains politically sensitive in both countries, with opposition figures in the UK warning against altering cultural heritage policies and Greek officials emphasizing the ethical importance of reunifying the sculptures.