Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has pledged to intensify his country's claims to repatriate the Parthenon marbles from the British Museum. Mr Mitsotakis stated he would raise the issue 'in the strongest of terms' when he meets UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, noting Mr Burnham's previous support for restitution efforts.
Speaking at a conference in Athens, Mr Mitsotakis said that talks with London regarding a potential 'hybrid' deal for the 5th century BCE marbles had not progressed. He indicated that Greece would 'very clearly ramp up the intensity of our claims' with both the British Museum and the British government.
Mr Mitsotakis also acknowledged that negotiations with the British Museum, led by chair George Osborne, had not made headway. He suggested that the fate of the artworks is connected to Mr Burnham's stated desire for closer ties between the UK and the EU, adding that the Parthenon sculptures would be part of this debate.
Greek officials have reportedly expressed disappointment over Mr Burnham's apparent change in stance on the sculptures since becoming Prime Minister. Mr Burnham, who was culture secretary in a previous Labour government and mayor of Greater Manchester, had previously advocated for the return of the antiquities.
Mr Mitsotakis maintained that changing attitudes in Britain could not be dismissed, suggesting there is still room for a 'win-win' solution. He proposed that the upcoming closure and renovation of the national archaeological museum in Athens could allow for Greek antiquities to be sent to the UK in exchange for the sculptures.