Government source to Times of London: We are optimistic, Parthenon Sculptures expected to return this year

A report by the Times of London cites statements by a Greek official, on condition of anonymity, and states that Greece is on the verge of a “win-win” agreement with the British Museum for the Parthenon Sculptures, which are even expected to begin returning to Athens before the end of the year.

“We are working on a broad and long-term cultural agreement that will include the exchange and exchange of historical objects between Greece and the British Museum,” the senior official told the British newspaper.

He stressed that the “red lines” regarding the ownership of antiquities are immovable and suggested a new “British Museum annex” at the Acropolis Museum as one of several possible solutions.

“This is what we mean by the phrase ‘win-win solution,'” said the same source, adding that the Sculptures are “returning to their homeland.”

“We are optimistic that an agreement will be reached by the end of the year with the first part of the sculptures being transferred to Athens at the same time,” the official said.

Ahead of the next round of talks led by former Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne, now chairman of the British Museum, and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, a Greek government source said yesterday that the two leaders had agreed to “tone down the rhetoric” that has sparked recent days.

British sources said, however, that the “British Museum annex” idea has not been formally discussed and there is no timetable.

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