Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis of Greece expressed his dissatisfaction yesterday (27 November) after British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak abruptly canceled bilateral talks, despite the Greeks hoping to use The occasion pressured the British government to return marble sculptures that had been removed from the Parthenon in Athens more than 200 years earlier.
The two leaders were originally scheduled to meet at noon today (28) in London. Before news came out on Monday evening (27) that the British Prime Minister requested to cancel the meeting. It is speculated that it comes from the Elgin Marbles, which has long been a dispute between Greece and England.
“I would like to express my dissatisfaction with the British Prime Minister canceling the meeting. Just a few hours before it started.” Greek leader said in a statement
The report said Mitsotakis rejected the British government’s offer to send Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden to the meeting instead.
A Downing Street spokesman tried to resolve the situation. Stating that the relationship between the United Kingdom and Greece is “Very important,” he said, citing cooperation under the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and tackling common challenges such as illegal immigrants Russo-Ukrainian War and conflicts in the Middle East, etc.
“The Deputy Prime Minister is ready to talk with the Prime Minister. Greece to discuss these important issues,” a spokesman for the British prime minister’s office said, without referring to the Elgin marble issue.
Thomas Bruce, Earl of Elgin who is a British diplomat Several marble sculptures were removed from the Parthenon on the Acropolis of Athens in the early 19th century.
The Greek government has made it clear that the sculptures were “stolen,” but British officials have denied that. This turned the matter into a dispute that has soured relations between the two sides for decades.
Sunak’s spokesman said on Monday that the British leader had “no plans” to return the marbles to Athens.
Mitsotakis said dismissively. “Greece’s position on the Parthenon carvings is well known to all parties. And I hope to have the opportunity to discuss this matter with the British Prime Minister.”
“Anyone who believes in the rightness and their own position. He is not afraid to face arguments.”
Greece’s ANA news agency, citing sources within the government, said Prime Minister Sunak was likely unhappy with Mitsotakis’ remarks in an interview with the BBC on Sunday. The Greek leader said: The fact that a sculpture from the Parthenon is on display in the British Museum is no different from cutting the Mona Lisa painting in half.
The BBC reports that The Athenian government has tried to negotiate with England several times to borrow these sculptures to return to Greece for display.
A source from the ruling Conservative Party told the BBC on Monday: “The meeting cannot take place. Because of the interview about the Elgin Marble before that.”
Source: AFP
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2023-11-28 06:39:00
