Elgin Marbles talks collapse over permanent return dispute

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 24 Sept, 18:04 · Archive

Negotiations between Greece and the British Museum over the Elgin Marbles have broken down.

Years of talks between Greece and the British Museum over the future of the Elgin Marbles have collapsed, with the two sides unable to agree on ownership. Greece demands permanent return of the Parthenon sculptures to Athens, while the British Museum insists it is legally responsible and would only agree to lend them. Greece's prime minister said the country will not accept any arrangement that would require it to recognise the British Museum's ownership.

How it is being reported

• Greek PM urges Burnham to return Elgin Marbles permanentlyAndy Burnham said in 2023 the sculptures should be returned to Greece with "no strings attached".BBC News · 24 Sept, 17:36
• Talks over returning Elgin Marbles to Greece ‘collapse’Greece’s prime minister said country would not accept ‘any arrangement that would require it to recognise the British Museum’s ownership of the sculptures’The Independent · 24 Sept, 08:42
• Elgin Marbles talks collapse after Greece demands artefacts returned permanentlyEfforts to reach an agreement over the future of the Elgin Marbles are said to have broken down, after years of discussions between Greece and the British Museum. The talks, which resumed in 2021 as Athens sought the permanent return of the Parthenon sculptures, are understood to have stalled over a fundamental disagreement about ownership. Greek officials regard the ancient works as Greek property, and want them returned to Athens, while the British Museum claims to be legally responsible for the sculptures and is only willing to lend them. Sources told GB News said there are currently no…GB News · 23 Sept, 19:17

In this story: Greece · British Museum · Athens · Elgin Marbles

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