Regarding the matter of claiming the Parthenon Sculptures, these four years there have been very big steps and they are tangible and concrete, pointed out the Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni speaking on the First Schedule.

“In these 4 years, the government has systematically and quietly provided proof of the work it is doing. With the British museum, yes, there have been discussions. It would be strange not to have a dialogue. This dialogue, as the prime minister himself said at some point at the end of January, beginning of February, when this issue also became a tool of the opposition and even a toxic opposition, he said that we will start it again after the elections. I’m sticking to it too. Because even this issue of progress and talks they tried to take advantage of in their opposition speech” said Mrs. Mendoni and added that if the ND is re-elected, the negotiation will continue.

He noted that “it is on a good path” and that the matter of the final return of the sculptures to Athens “without our national line being altered in the slightest, because we hear this too, is at the best possible point right now compared to the past».

Furthermore, referring to UNESCO’s milestone decision in 2021, with which it clearly supports the struggle of the Greek side for the repatriation of Sculptorpointed out that the presence and systematic work of the government played a role, with the result that the issue has now taken on a transnational character and is not an issue between two museums.

“From there, we had the final return to Athens and the reunification in Zoforos of the “Fagan fragment”. We had not long ago the brave decision of Pope Francis to return forever and reunite in the Sculptures that exist in the Acropolis, the two fragments from the Vatican. The day before yesterday you heard the news that Austria is walking on a similar path” Ms. Mendoni also noted.

The goal, he emphasized, is for the Sculptures to return definitively and be reunited, while underlining that what Greece can never recognize in the British Museum is the prefecture, possession and ownership.

“We consider that the sculptures are in the British Museum as a product of theft and indeed by a violent process, by destruction I would say” he said characteristically.

“It could be done what was already done with Italy and Sicily with the “Fagan fragment”, in its miniature form. From the moment it was decided to definitively return and reunite the fragment in Athens, the Ministry of Culture and the Acropolis Museum made the gesture to lend, there is the loan, from our side, to lend a find, a torso of Athena in this case, which is currently on display in the Palermo museum. It is a noble gesture and I think that the prime minister has also clarified the matter in this matter with the British Museum, he said that its specific halls will not remain empty, but Greece has the ability to organize periodical exhibitions”, noted the minister.