Sculpted Parthenon: In London Mitsotakis – The promise Starmer and the “window” for their return

With arguments for the reunification of the Parthenon sculptors in his luggage, the Prime Minister leaves tomorrow for London at a first meeting, Tuesday in Downing Street with British Prime Minister Sir Kir Starmer after Labour won in Britain. Of course the debate on the Parthenon Sculpture will not be the only one between the two prime ministers, since Greece is a constant request that is being discussed not with the British government, but with the British museum. After all, a source in Athens said to STEP that “there is nothing new, we just expect…”

There may be nothing newer in Athens and they expect news from the Prime Minister’s meeting with Kir Starmer, however, the English deal with the issue every chance. Telegraph reports that the 1963 law that prohibits the British Museum from returning the Parthenon Sculptures to Athens could be circumvented.

The report adds that Labour examines “all options”. Let us not forget that at the meeting last November of the Greek Prime Minister with Labour leader Kir Starmer, the Greek government had received the assurance that in the event of his party’s electoral victory (which was done) it would not prevent an agreement to return the Parthenon Sculptors.

Athens therefore maintains a waiting position to adjust efforts in case the Labour victory actually brought the Greek demand closer. However, the Prime Minister from Thessaloniki reported that the discussion with the British Museum of Sculpture “is still active”. However, the British do not seem to change their attitude since they say that we have no plans to change the existing government policy on rehabilitation.” The Prime Minister’s main mission in London will be to attract investment. It will open the 3rd Greek Investment Conference organized by Morgan Stanley in collaboration with the Athens Stock Exchange. The message it is expected to send to investors is about fiscal stability, which is unnegotiable and will mark the political stability that exists in the country, while the political-budget risk is already at the heart of Europe, such as in countries with a strong economy so far, for example Germany and France. There are also many issues with Britain that can be discussed, there are defence, economic, etc. agreements between the two prime ministers. Particular emphasis is expected to be placed on cooperation in the fields of shipping, research and innovation as well as tourism, while particular reference will be made to migration and coordination in view of our country’s taking over as a non-permanent member of the Security Council in the two years 2025-2026.