Friday 20 May 2022 02:04 AM British officials agree talks to resolve long-running dispute with Greece over ... trends now
The British government has agreed to talks on the repatriation of the ancient Elgin Marbles which could see the artefacts brought back to Greece.
Hailed by campaigners as a 'step in the right direction', the UN's cultural agency Unesco have backed formal talks between the British and Greek governments to engage in a 'bona fide dialogue' to resolve the long-standing issue.
The Elgin Marbles are a 17-figure collection of classical Greek marble sculptures made by architect and sculptor Phidias, a Greek sculptor whose statue of Zeus, the god of the sky in ancient Greek mytholgy, was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
They were were taken from the Parthenon in Athens by the then British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, Lord Elgin, between 1801 and 1812, and are now on display at the British Museum.
The Government has been under increasing pressure to return the marbles in recent months, with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis insisting that they were 'stolen' in November last year.
The British government has agreed to Unesco-backed talks on the repatriation of the Elgin Marbles, pictured on display at the British Museum, which could see the artefacts brought back to Greece and resolve the long-standing issue
The Elgin Marbles (pictured) are a 17-figure collection of classical Greek marble sculptures made by architect and sculptor Phidias, a Greek sculptor whose statue of Zeus, the god of the sky in ancient Greek mytholgy, was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world
However, it has been the UK's long-standing position that the marbles were acquired legally. Mr Johnson also insisted after Mr Mitsotakis's comments that any decision on returning them has to be made by the British Museum.
But the British Museum has disputed this claim as they argue that since the treasures are technically publicly owned, the repatriation of the statues is a decision to be made by Parliament.
And now the Department for Digital Culture, Media and Sport will be leading talks with Greece, but have said that the UK's long-standing position on the issue 'has not changed'.
The Elgin Marbles were were taken from the Parthenon in Athens by the then British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, Lord Elgin, between 1801 and 1812, and are now on display at the British Museum (pictured)
Around 260ft (80metres) of the marbles are in London, whilst Athens is home to a smaller 164ft (50metres) section.
According to the Telegraph, the latest formal talks between Greek and British ministers were suggested by British officials,
