On the ongoing negotiations to reunite the Parthenon Sculptures, the British Museum told ERTNews that "Discussions with Greece on the Parthenon partnership are ongoing and constructive." 

And continues:

"We believe that this type of long-term partnership will strike the right balance between sharing our greatest objects with audiences around the world and maintaining the integrity of the incredible collection we have in the museum."

At the same day the Economist published an article saying that the Marbles status negotiations could take a big step forward.

"In 2025, the marbles may finally be moved - or at least negotiations over their status may take a big step forward." This is the thesis of the Economist article, which gives a detailed account of the situation and the issue of cultural heritage restitution, as the return of antiquities involving "less prominent objects" puts less pressure on museums. 

The article states that "a deal with Greece would be the culmination of a wave of restitution that has taken place in the shadow of the Marbles". 

"Many arguments against their return have been overturned. The idea that the British Museum is the only competent custodian for the marbles has always seemed slightly spurious, even more so after one of its staff was accused of pilfering almost 2,000 antiquities and selling them on eBay," writes The Economist's culture correspondent. The columnist cites sources from different authors who wrote books on this subject to conclude that a "return is no longer a dirty word".

The facts and the speculation

As the Economist article makes clear, there is nothing concrete other than the acknowledgement that discussions are underway and that the possible reunification of the sculptures faces favourable circumstances. Senior diplomatic sources explicitly told ERT that they "do not confirm" the reports, in which details of the alleged agreement are given.

This is because they do not even know if there will be an agreement in the end let alone what exactly an alleged agreement will contain. 

In particular, another diplomatic source told ERT that "nothing has been agreed unless everything has been agreed". We are watching a diplomatic negotiation of the highest level where the two sides talk behind closed doors for the best outcome they can conclude.

The Parthenon Project campaign, funded by multi-millionaire John Lefas, is 'keeping a low profile', while the long-established British Committee for the Restitution of the Parthenon Marbles (BCRPM) claims they do not have knowledge of the details of the negotiations. 

What we do know is that the Greek government has been talking to the British Museum and the British government for years, by their own admission. The draft of the agreement though has not been finalised. Everything that is published is a "product of fantasy", according to an ERT diplomatic source.

It could also be a "framework agreement" and the details will be worked out later. 

Greek and British journalists are chasing the story on the occasion of the arrival of the Greek Foreign Minister in London and the rumoured subsequent visit of Prime Minister Mitsotakis to London in early December.

But given the puzzling silence on the negotiations for a possible agreement to reunite the sculptures, from both the British Museum and the Greek side, what remains is what we know: that discussions are continuing, that these may take place at many levels and in many ways, and that it is by no means certain that Kyriakos Mitsotakis who will (possibly) travel to London in early December, will sign an agreement.

The British Museum is in the final stages of awarding a competition for an architectural proposal for the renovation of the museum. From the beginning of the new year, many of the British Museum's Western Rooms will be gradually closed, including the galleries housing the Greek antiquities including the Parthenon Sculptures in Room 18. These sculptures will have to be moved... somewhere. This will certainly increase the chances of the British Museum agreeing to an exchange, but we must not forget that these treasures are in the UK's most important institution, and it is also a matter of national pride for the British as well as the Greeks, and certainly for the museum's board.

The article was written originally in Greek by Evdoxia Lymperi - UK correspondent for ERT (Greek Broadcasting Corp.) it was first published in ertnews.gr

Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis met with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy in London, 19 November 2024. 

"The discussion took place in an excellent atmosphere" as stated by senior diplomatic sources, while bilateral issues were discussed and the upgrading of cooperation between the two countries "at all levels" was agreed upon.

"Our European allies are essential to the security and development of the United Kingdom," the British foreign secretary, David Lammy said. 

"We prioritize international trade, protecting our shared values ​​and our role as committed members of NATO," added David Lammy.

With the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, the foreign ministers discussed "cease-fire" options looking towards restoring international law.

Cyprus 

The issue of Cyprus also occupied both ministers, as Greece and Britain are the guarantor powers on the island along with Turkey. The two men discussed the contribution of their countries to the reunification of the island in the context of the resolutions of the UN Security Council.

As Greece's term as a non-permanent member of the Security Council begins at the beginning of next year, the two sides discussed "the cooperation of the two countries and joint initiatives in the context of their joint participation in the United Nations Security Council" . 

Finally, they discussed the ways in which Greece will contribute to the improvement of European Union - United Kingdom relations, which is the goal of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government.

Parthenon sculptures

Regarding the content of a possible agreement for the Parthenon Sculptures, diplomatic sources denied the reports that this has reached a conclusion. 

The Greek side is open and participating in discussions as the reunification of the sculptures is a constant goal for Greece but any content that has been published is not confirmed by senior diplomatic sources. 

This report from London correspondent for ERT Evdoxia Lyperi, published 20.11.2024

The Rt Hon George Osborne, Chair of the British Museum, addressed those that attended the annual Trustees' dinner on Wednesday 13th November.

The whole speech is available to read and we've added the link here.

There is a great deal to gleam from George Osborne's words. Over and above the huge investment that is being made to upgrade and improve the fabric of the museum, the outdoor entrance area and galleries, there is the view that with six million visitors, the purpose of the British Museum remains hugely important.

George Osborne lands on the premise that visitors head to the British Museum to think. "It took one of many amazing artists we have in the room with us today to illuminate that for me so clearly, Hew Locke. Hew has curated a wonderful exhibition here that challenges us to consider the origins of parts of this collection, and links with Britain's imperial part. We're no longer afraid to have the conversations inside these walls that are taking place outside them."

"Hew says this in his introduction to the show: 'I go to the British Museum to think.' And it captures our purpose today and our mission tomorrow. We want our visitors to have a good time, to enjoy the experience.... we don't want their coming here to be an ordeal, like a dose of cod liver oil. But we also want their visit to be something more than a tick on a global bucket-list. We want each of those six million visitors to leave better citizens of the world for coming here."

In 1753 when the museum first opened, founder, Hans Sloane wanted the museum to be 'as useful as possible.... for the improvement ... of all persons.

Osborne acknowledges that this was a bold claim and that it remains a bold claim particularly in this era.

"We can no longer be a temple to western ascendancy - nor hide from our visitors the true stories of how some of this collection was assembled. But respect for the sensitivities and a commitment to tell the whole truth- if such a thing is possible- should not morph into a wishy-washy neutrality, or cringing embarrassment about our purpose. We believe that if you come through these doors, you'll be a better person for it."

From these words George Osborne links that visitors to the British Museum will become better equipped to understand the present as they view all great civilisations alongside each other, reflecting on what makes us different and what we have also have in common. 

For those members of BCRPM that attended the dinner there remains the hope that when the proposals for the reunification of the Parthenon Marbles are agreed upon by the Greek government and the announcement is made, that the thinking will result in giving all museum visitors hope for the future of institutions that set their stall out to better humanity as a whole. From the cries of Byron and others at what happened at the  turn of the 19th century in Athens, to what twenty-first visionaries can do to restore by showing understanding and respect for a peerless collection of sculptures, which can only ever belong to the Parthenon. 

We remind ourselves of past Chair of BCRPM, Eddie O'Hara's words published 25th October 2014, a decade ago:

"The Parthenon and its sculpted elements are a single artistic entity.  Their integrity is compromised as long as they are divided.  Clearly the sculptures can no longer be replaced on the building, but the Acropolis Museum is unique in being the only place where these sculptures can be viewed in line of sight with the Parthenon itself.  

The moral and cultural case for reunification is overwhelming and enough. Time to tell the story as it deserves to be told and for all humanity to applaud."

The Parthenon Sculptures will be returned to Greece, Nikolaos Stampolidis, the general director of the Acropolis Museum, told the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation, ERT.

For many campaigners including BCRPM, the role of the Acropolis Museum in the reunification of the Parthenon Marbles has been pivotal since the days when founder Eleni Cubitt was invited to look over the architects proposals for a new Acropolis Museum. It was just short of two decades that BCRPM organised an event for Professor Pandermalis, the then Director of the new Acropolis Museum to present the winning scheme. The London venue for that event was just a stone's throw away from the British Museum.

Professor Stampolidis in his ERT interview pointed to the UNESCO decision regarding the reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures in September 2021 as a crucial turning point, describing it as “the most significant…in recent years.”

BCRPM acknowledges that since 2009 and the opening of the Acropolis Museum, the case for reunification has strengthened annually.

"Stampolidis also noted that the unprecedented success of the Acropolis Museum in attracting visitors and hosting major exhibitions has cemented its role as a world-class institution capable of housing and showcasing the reunited Parthenon sculptures.

The museum’s visitor numbers have surged from 1.5 million in 2022 to 1.95 million in 2023, demonstrating its growing international appeal and position among Europe’s most iconic museums." Writes Nick Kampouris, for the Greek Reporter on Monday 28 October 2024.

That the argument for reunification extends beyond national boundaries has been emphasised and explored in media outlets throughout the world. Stampolidis stressed that “the reunification is not just a Greek request; it’s a global demand.” There is no doubt also that ethical arguments continue to garner support of Greece’s case against the British Museum's stance.

Stampolidis also pointed out that international law does not support the retention of illegally acquired artefacts regardless of the time that has passed since their removal. While acknowledging the political nature of the issue and its intricate implications on domestic British politics, Stampolidis, rightly remains confident.

“I deeply believe within two to three years there will finally be a successful outcome for returning the Parthenon sculptures to Greece,” he stated. This optimism is partly based on growing international support, including unexpected backing from countries such as Turkey.

Among the Acropolis Museum’s main concerns are the conservation and restoration of the works in its collections, taking preventive steps to ensure appropriate environmental conditions for its exhibits; and their presentation to the public in a fresh, contemporary way. To this end, the Museum encourages research, takes steps to promote scientific knowledge and introduces innovative ways of presenting exhibits.

In order to engage visitors to this exciting procedure, the Acropolis Museum participates in the celebration of the European Days of Conservation-Restoration 2024 with the program ‘From the soil to the Museum’ on 17, 18 and 20 October 2024. This is a journey in the complicated world of the restoration of antiquities brought to light in the excavation that extends beneath the Acropolis Museum building. The Museum’s conservators will share with the public their methods and the practices they followed to preserve the life of the buildings of the ancient neighbourhood, as well as the artefacts that were discovered, from the moment they were unearthed until they were displayed in the Excavation Museum.