Parthenon marbles row: Roger Waters speaks in the greek news broadcaster Kontra Channel about elgin marbles after Rishi Sunak cancels meeting with Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak blamed his Greek counterpart for their diplomatic spat and in comments that risk further amplifying tensions, made clear he wants the Parthenon Sculptures at the center of the dispute to remain in the British Museum in London.
The latest episode in a centuries-long feud was sparked when Sunak abruptly canceled a meeting set for Tuesday with Greek premier Kyriakos Mitsotakis. According to Sunak’s spokesman, that was because the Greek government failed to “adhere” to “assurances” it had given that Mitsotakis wouldn’t use his visit to publicly discuss “ancient grievances” about the sculptures.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak escalated his war of words with the leader of Greece on Wednesday, accusing Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis of trying to “grandstand” over the disputed Parthenon Marbles and breaking a promise to the U.K. government.
Mitsotakis, meanwhile, said the dispute had helped draw international attention to Greece’s longstanding claim to the artifacts, part of a 2,500-year-old frieze that was taken from Athens in the early 19th century by British diplomat Lord Elgin. The artifacts are on display in the British Museum.
The two European allies with center-right governments have been at loggerheads since Monday, when Sunak called off a scheduled meeting with Mitsotakis hours before it was due to start.
5 окт 2024
