PM Mitsotakis with British PM Johnson: Return of Parthenon Marbles to Greece is a political issue

The Greek premier congratulated Johnson on his effective presence at the COP26 climate change summit held in Glasgow, and for his efforts towards a result, in an issue that is both crucial and complex, it was added.

Regarding EU-UK relations, Mitsotakis welcomed the continuation of the dialogue between these two sides on the Northern Ireland Protocol, and he underlined the need for its implementation in the context of the United Kingdom's commitments under the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement.

Turkey's destabilising role in the Eastern Meditteranean was another issue mentioned by Mitsotakis, which, as he said, leaves little room for optimism in terms of a dialogue. Greece, he added, always stands ready for said dialogue, in the context of International Law, the Law of the Sea, and in respect for its sovereign rights.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis reiterated to Johnson Greece's standing demand for the return of the Parthenon Marbles, noting that the time has come to meet Greece's fair request, and see to the restoration of the monument in its entirety at the Acropolis Museum, sources noted.

Speaking about the issue to Greek journalists in London after his meeting with Johnson, Mitsotakis said that "our request is not a flare. We will insist, methodically, to build the necessary foundations within British public opinion for the need to reunite the Parthenon Marbles with the sculptures of the Acropolis Museum. It is an important issue, one that relates to our bilateral relations," he underlined.

Moreover, he added, "this is not a legal issue per se, it is, above all, both a political issue as well as a matter of principles," and he concluded by saying that “we will employ all means at our disposal to meet this target of ours.”

The Greek prime minister's meeting with his British counterpart was attended by New Democracy MP Tassos Chatzivassiliou, Greek Ambassador to the UK Ioannis Raptakis, ambassador Anna-Maria-Eleni Boura of the Prime Minister's Diplomatic Office, deputy government spokesperson Aristotelia Peloni, and the Director of the Prime Minister's Economic Office Alexis Patelis.

Source: ana-mpa