British Museum chief hopeful on Parthenon sculptures but urges mutual concessions
British Museum president George Osborne said he remains optimistic about a deal with Greece over the Parthenon sculptures, but insists any agreement must involve compromises from both sides.
George Osborne, who leads the British Museum, said from Athens that he is still hopeful a compromise on the Parthenon sculptures can be achieved. He suggested a joint-exhibition model that would allow the pieces to be shown in both London and Athens, emphasizing that neither party will obtain everything it wants. Osborne recognized that many Greeks oppose any arrangement that could be seen as acknowledging British ownership.
The idea revives a plan first raised in early 2023, which failed to produce a deal. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has previously ruled out any agreement that would imply the museum’s ownership. The negotiations take place amid broader UK-EU diplomatic efforts, with Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s administration pushing for closer ties ahead of a November EU-UK summit.
Why it matters
The dispute over the Parthenon sculptures affects cultural heritage claims and UK-Greece diplomatic relations.
In this story
