Gov’t positive on Mitsotakis-Starmer meeting

Government sources in Athens have responded positively to the meeting at Downing Street in London of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his British counterpart, Keir Starmer, particularly as regards the Parthenon Sculptures.

"We welcome the fact that the British government will not stand in the way if there is an agreement with the British Museum," the sources said after the Mitsotakis-Starmer meeting.

The sources said that the Mitsotakis raised the issue of the sculptures during the 40-minute meeting, which ended shortly after 1.15 p.m. Greek time.

The marbles are part of a 2,500-year-old frieze that was taken from the Acropolis in the early 19th century by British diplomat Lord Elgin and put on display in the British Museum. Athens says they were removed illegally and wants them returned so they can be displayed alongside the rest of the Parthenon...