British PM Cancels Meeting with Greek Counterpart Over Parthenon Sculptures Dispute: In a recent diplomatic row, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak canceled a scheduled meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in London, just hours before it was set to take place. The dispute revolves around the 2,500-year-old Parthenon Sculptures, which Greece has long sought to be permanently returned by the British Museum.
Cancellation of Meeting Sparks Diplomatic Dispute:
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has accused British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of abruptly canceling a scheduled meeting in London, citing a diplomatic row centered around the status of the Parthenon Sculptures.
Greek Plea for Sculptures’ Return:
Greece has consistently urged the British Museum to permanently return the 2,500-year-old Parthenon Sculptures, removed by British diplomat Lord Elgin in the early 19th century during his tenure as ambassador to the Ottoman Empire.
Mitsotakis Expresses Annoyance:
In a statement, Mitsotakis expressed his displeasure over the last-minute cancellation, stating that he had hoped to discuss Greece’s well-known positions on the Parthenon Sculptures with his British counterpart.
Stalemate in Talks and Unilateral Decision:
Mitsotakis complained that discussions with British Museum Chair George Osborne on a potential loan deal for the sculptures were not progressing rapidly enough. He likened the continued presence of the sculptures in the British Museum to cutting the “Mona Lisa in half” and emphasized the importance of “reunification” over ownership.
British Government’s Firm Stance:
A British government official, requesting anonymity, explained that the ongoing dispute over the marbles made the scheduled meeting inappropriate. Sunak’s office maintained that there were no plans to return the sculptures.
Alternative Meeting Proposal:
Despite the cancellation, Sunak’s office suggested that Deputy British Prime Minister Oliver Dowden could meet with Mitsotakis to discuss global challenges such as tackling illegal migration and emphasized the “hugely important” nature of the UK-Greece relationship.
Legal Constraints and Opposition Leader’s Position:
The British government, citing legal constraints, has consistently rejected the notion of relinquishing ownership of the marbles. However, British opposition leader Keir Starmer proceeded with a planned meeting with Mitsotakis on Monday, and reports indicate he may not oppose a “mutually acceptable” loan deal for the sculptures.
Ongoing Dispute:
The Parthenon Sculptures have been a longstanding point of contention between Greece and the UK, with Greece seeking their permanent return to Athens and the UK maintaining ownership, arguing they were legally acquired.
Global Collaboration Amid Tensions:
While the dispute persists, Sunak’s office emphasized the importance of collaboration between the two countries on global challenges, signaling a willingness to engage in discussions on shared concerns.
This revised content provides an overview of the diplomatic tensions, the background of the Parthenon Sculptures dispute, and the potential for alternative diplomatic engagements.
In Conclusion: The cancellation of the meeting between the British and Greek Prime Ministers underscores the deep-rooted dispute over the Parthenon Sculptures. As both nations grapple with differing perspectives on ownership and cultural heritage, the diplomatic tensions surrounding this issue continue to unfold.
