LONDON, Jan 4 (Reuters) – The British Museum mentioned on Wednesday it was holding “constructive discussions” with Greece over the Parthenon Sculptures amid renewed hypothesis that the two,500-year-old marbles might quickly be returned to Athens.
Greece has repeatedly referred to as for the everlasting return of the sculptures that British diplomat Lord Elgin faraway from the imposing Parthenon temple in Athens within the early nineteenth century, when he was ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, which then dominated Greece.
The Greek authorities mentioned final month it was in talks over their repatriation, and Britain’s Each day Telegraph reported on Wednesday that an settlement had been drawn up between the museum’s chairman, former finance minister George Osborne, to permit them to be returned as a part of an change deal.
The paper reported such an association, which might in impact be a mortgage association, may very well be concluded quickly. Nonetheless, Greek officers have mentioned discussions had been at a preliminary stage.
“We have mentioned publicly, we’re actively searching for a brand new Parthenon partnership with our associates in Greece and as we enter a brand new yr constructive discussions are ongoing,” the British Museum mentioned in a press release.
The museum, custodian of the “Elgin Marbles” which embrace about half of the 160-metre (525-ft) frieze that adorned the Parthenon, has at all times dominated out a everlasting return for the sculptures, saying they had been legally acquired and UK regulation prevented it from breaking apart its assortment.
A spokesperson for the Greek authorities mentioned there had not been any additional discussions with British authorities officers just lately, however its request for the return of the sculptures was ongoing.
“There hasn’t been a brand new growth on this entrance,” the spokesperson mentioned. “The federal government with professionalism and full respect for all of the parameters of this problem will proceed to pursue the very best outcome, aiming on the reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures.”
Reporting by Michael Holden and Muvija M in London, Renee Maltezou in Athens; Modifying by Alison Williams
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