Sunak cancels meeting with Mitsotakis in London

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed his annoyance on Monday evening over the last-minute cancellation of his meeting in London with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

“I express my annoyance at the fact that the British prime minister canceled our scheduled meeting a few hours before it was due to take place,” the prime minister said. “Greece and Britain are united by traditional ties of friendship and the framework of our bilateral relations is extremely broad,” he added.

Referring to the Parthenon Sculptures, Mitsotakis said he had hoped to have the opportunity to discuss them with Sunak, along with the situations in Gaza and Ukraine, the climate crisis and migration.

Government sources told Kathimerini that the meeting was canceled because Sunak was irked by the views expressed by the Greek premier on the return of the Marbles. “We will continue to promote the positions as we consistently do. Ultimately, the negotiation is with the British Museum,” the same sources said.

A British government official, who asked not to be named, said the row over the marbles meant it was not suitable for the meeting to go ahead.

Earlier, Downing Street said Sunak ruled out any plan to return the sculptures. Number 10 said the British Museum was the “right place” for the treasures.

Asked about Mitsotakis’ statement, Sunak’s office said Britain’s relationship with Greece was “hugely important” and the two countries needed to work together on global challenges like tackling illegal migration.

Deputy British Prime Minister Oliver Dowden was available to meet Mitsotakis to discuss these issues instead, Sunak’s office said.

The British government has always ruled out giving up ownership of the marbles, which include about half of the 160-meter (525-ft) frieze that adorned the Parthenon, and says they were legally acquired.

A law prevents the British museum from removing objects from the collection apart from in certain circumstances, but the legislation does not prohibit a loan.

Mitsotakis did meet with Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer at the Greek embassy, with whom he discussed closer cooperation on issues of broader European security, migration, and actions against the climate crisis, as well as the contribution of UK’s Greek communities to British society.

The Financial Times last week reported that Starmer would not block a “mutually acceptable” loan deal for the sculptures.

Labour declined to comment.

[Kathimerini/Reuters]