However, since being elected, Burnham has retreated from that position, arguing that “ultimately it’s an issue for the British Museum.”
Campaigners have long called for the Marbles to return to Greece, and talks between the museum and Greek officials have been ongoing for years to discuss a potential loan arrangement.
Athens argues that they were removed illegally and wants them to be displayed alongside the rest of the Parthenon sculptures at a purpose-built museum in the Greek capital.
A 1963 law currently bans the British Museum from permanently handing back the Marbles to Greece — but it would not prohibit a loan.
A major diplomatic row erupted in 2021 when a meeting between Mitsotakis and former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was abruptly canceled at the last minute, after the Greek leader compared the removal of the sculptures from Athens to cutting Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” in half.
“What is needed now is the political will and courage to take the decisive step, to reunite the sculptures and transform a historic dispute into a unique act of cultural friendship,” Mitsotakis said on Thursday.
“The Museum’s position and openness to a deal is unchanged,” a British Museum spokesperson said. The U.K.’s Department for Culture declined to comment.