Greece is optimistic of striking a deal with the British Museum on the Parthenon Sculptures as soon as next year, after Downing Street reiterated that Sir Keir Starmer would not stand in the way of an agreement between the two sides.
The UK prime minister met Kyriakos Mitsotakis, his Greek counterpart, in Downing Street on Tuesday for wide-ranging talks. Although Number 10 said the future of the so-called Elgin Marbles was not on Starmer’s agenda, Greek officials said Mitsotakis had raised the subject of the 2,500-year-old carvings.
Talks between the Greek government and the museum have been under way for several years, and Starmer has previously made it clear that he would not block a “loan” accord if the two sides can agree to it.