Sunak Cancels Meeting with Greek PM Amidst Dispute Over Parthenon Sculptures

Rishi Sunak, the British Prime Minister, abruptly cancelled a scheduled meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis amid a dispute over the Parthenon sculptures. Mitsotakis had intended to discuss Greece's well-known stance on the repatriation of the historic artifacts, which were taken by Lord Elgin in the 19th century and now reside in the British Museum.

The Greek leader expressed frustration at the cancellation and the slow progress in negotiations for the sculptures' return, likening their current divided display to cutting the "Mona Lisa in half." A British official cited the controversy as the reason for calling off the meeting. While the British government has no intention of returning the sculptures, it has noted the possibility of a loan. Despite the setback, Mitsotakis met with the British opposition leader Keir Starmer, who is open to facilitating a loan agreement. Deputy PM Oliver Dowden offered to meet with Mitsotakis on Britain's behalf to address this and other global issues. The British Museum's hands are tied by law from permanently removing artifacts but can engage in loans.