UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has ruled out plans to change the law to return to Greece the Parthenon marbles currently on display at the British Museum in London, despite ongoing contacts between authorities in the two countries.
»The United Kingdom has taken care of the Elgin marbles for generations,» Sunak said, speaking to the media on his trip to the United States. The ‘premier’ has defended that they are still a »huge asset» for the United Kingdom, so for now he is sticking to the criteria of his predecessors on this issue.
»We share the treasures with the world and the world comes to the UK to see them. The British Museum’s collection is protected by law and we have no plans to change that,» Sunak said, according to the Guardian. The UK Museums Act prevents the return of pieces permanently, except in very specific circumstances.
The Elgin Marbles are one of the main attractions of the British Museum, which also displays other pieces from ancient Greece and other historical cultures, such as Egypt. Athens is demanding their delivery and the two parties have been talking about it for more than a year, in discreet contacts that London is now putting a stop to.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
