Detailed answers on the subject of the Parthenon Sculptures, especially on the reaction of the British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, but also on the attempt to return the Sculptures, were given by the Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister, Thanasis Kontogeorgis, in his radio interview on the First Program of ERT.

“The government and the prime minister had highlighted in previous years in a systematic, appropriate way the issue of reuniting the Parthenon Sculptures with their natural environment. Obviously, it is a delicate issue, a timeless request, so the handling must be delicate”, said the deputy minister despite the prime minister, while also recording the shift of public opinion in Great Britain.

“There is a reaction both within Great Britain and internationally. It’s not something that turned out well for the British Prime Minister”, he added and assured: “We will continue the work that is needed and with the agencies that we need to cooperate with, in order at some point to achieve this fair request and to fulfill the wishes of all of us in this issue”.

At the same time, he denied Downing Street’s claim that there had been prior agreement between the two governments not to raise the controversial issue. “Such an issue was never raised,” he said, citing Kyriakos Mitsotakis’s previous visit to London and the meeting with the then prime minister, Boris Johnson, where “the prime minister raised it.” They are, therefore, “prophecies in sin,” assessed Mr. Kontogeorgis.

Asked, moreover, to comment on today’s statement, in the newspaper “Ta Nea”, by the representative of the British Museum that the discussions with Greece will continue and are constructive, he noted that “all those who work on this case cannot fully understand what happened in those days. Obviously there are also internal expediencies concerning the political life of Great Britain. We understand all this, but they cannot define bilateral relations.”

To the question of whether Athens can expect something better for the case of the Glyptos from a Labor government, he answered that “regardless of who the government is in Great Britain, we have a specific position on the issue”. “These are decisions that concern the British people,” he added.

Answering the question how he saw the condemnation of the British stance by the Greek opposition, he emphasized that “the parties, even if with different speeds or nuances, responded positively. Everyone realizes that on such issues that should unite us – and this is what we are aiming for – obviously there must be criticism and suggestions, but we must keep the common line. This was captured – and is extremely positive – although there were nuances throughout the day. I stick to the fact that most parties positioned themselves positively on the issue.”

He announced changes to the tax bill in his testimony that “make it even fairer.” In particular, “the exceptions regarding the enforcement of the presumptive are expanded. Excluded are some businesses that may not operate all year round,” he pointed out. And, because “there was never any intention to cheat”, the possibility is given to those freelancers who believe they are being wronged, to request the corresponding tax audit, he added.

In any case, “all the changes coming from the Ministry of Finance are in the direction of strengthening the characteristic of justice, which must be present in a tax reform. Obviously, there will also be a debate within the Parliament”, he pointed out. However, he continued, “so far we have not heard anything organized from the major and minor opposition, only some utopian proposals.”

However, “the body of the bill remained the same, but there were some minor changes”, which, together with the gradual reduction and abolition of the pretense fee, “make a bill that was in this direction even fairer”, according to the Minister of State rather than the Prime Minister. he himself emphasized the extensive, as he said, consultation: Thus, more than 2,500 comments were submitted, there were discussions with all productive and professional bodies.

When asked about the interview of former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras in “Kathimerini”, he replied that “the views of Mr. Samaras are known, after all the government has a governance program […] moves forward and implements its policies”.

Regarding the Greek-Turkish relations, in general, he stated that “in recent years the country has strengthened its defense as well as its diplomatic and geopolitical footprint in the region, this was seen in all the crises. We come to this discussion with Turkey and President Erdogan with confidence, at the same time with distinct red lines. We have nothing to fear, there is the proper preparation.” “It is good – and we care – that there is productive calm in the region and everyone realizes this. This is how we will proceed,” he added.

Finally, regarding the issue of same-sex marriage, Mr. Kontogeorgis said: “We have said that this change will proceed, at the same time the prime minister will choose the time and the way it will be done […] it is exclusively a matter for the prime minister”.