Faced with the prospect of the pieces being returned to Greece, the UK government has warned the British Museum that its collection cannot be divided Dispute over the Parthenon Marbles

Reported by the UK government This monday to The British Museum in London this entityYou are prohibited from fragmentation or assignment” his groupin a framework The alleged negotiations to return to Greece recognized Elgin Marbles, which was part of the Parthenon.

Discussion about this return Almost 300 years have passedSince the ancient and famous sculptures were removed from the Parthenon in the early nineteenth century British diplomat Thomas Bruce, Earl of Elgem. Since then, they have been in the possession of the museum, which Greece has repeatedly asked for its recovery.

In this context, according to the Greek media, the head of the British Museum, former British Finance Minister George Osborne, and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, They held secret talks for a year. In addition, that conversations have been added About the “possible return” of balls in an “advanced stage”.

Rishi Sunak government response

Following the rumors, a spokesman for the british prime minister, Rishi SunakHe stressed that museum directors They are free to talk to whoever they want. however, “We do not plan to change the law that prevents the removal of objects from museum collectionsfrom the collections of the British Museum, except in certain circumstances.”

according to British Act of 1963, A museum can only sell or give away objects from its collection in three cases, which include the possibility that administrators may decide that “the object is not suitable for retention in the museum’s collections and may be removed without prejudice to the interests of the museum’s collections.” the students”.

While, UK insists it was legally taken over by Lord Elgin of marble When he ordered workmen to remove entire friezes from the Parthenon: ex-diplomat He sold the marble to the British government, who presented them in 1817 to the Museum.

That is why Greece maintains its position That they were stolen and have been fighting for their return for a long time.

What did the British Museum say?

According to the Museum of London, its collection It contains more than eight million objects, of which only about 80,000 are on public display.

Among them are many pieces that are denounced by other countries “plunder” or “plunder” The London government had long feared that Greek marble would set a precedent.

“We work within the law and will not break up our large group“It tells a unique story of our common humanity,” the museum said last Saturday.And the while saying a wish A New Partnership with Greece for the Parthenon.

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