Starmer in Mitsotakis for the return of the sculptors: “We will not stand in the way”

In a very good climate, the first official meeting of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis with British counterpart Kir Starmer on Downing Street, which lasted 30 minutes. The two leaders made an overview of bilateral relations and expressed the mutual will to strengthen cooperation. Mitsotakis stressed the importance Greece attaches to Greek-British relations and noted that this meeting is a good opportunity to give new impetus to relations between the two countries. In this context the entire spectrum of bilateral cooperation was discussed while emphasis was placed on economy, shipping and tourism. The two leaders also discussed the joint challenge of immigration as Greece is at the forefront as a European border and as a first-host country.

They also discussed closer international cooperation between the United Kingdom and Greece as it will take another dimension from the beginning of the year. Greece for the two years 2025-2026 will be one of the 10 non-permanent members of the UN Security Council while the United Kingdom is one of its five permanent members. Thus, the two states, together with the other members, should at this time decide, under international law, on a number of issues relating mainly to world peace and security. But also Euro-British relations have engaged the two leaders in the revival of which Greece supports, particularly in the areas of security and defence. At the same time Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Sir Kir Starmer exchanged views on regional and international issues with emphasis on recent developments in Ukraine.

Finally, the Cyprus issue was also discussed with the Greek Prime Minister expressing his satisfaction at the informal dinner of Mr. Christodoulides and Tatar under UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on 15 October in New York, stressing that he looks forward to the resumption of the talks. Meanwhile, Mr. Mitsotakis reportedly raised the issue of Parthenon’s Sculptures as it is a permanent request from Greece and anyway the discussions with the British museum are at an advanced stage. The Greek side welcomes the fact that the British government will not stand in the way of an agreement with the British Museum.