A scheduled meeting between UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis was abruptly canceled, intensifying tensions over the long-standing dispute regarding the Parthenon sculptures. Mitsotakis, who was on an unofficial visit to the UK, reiterated Greece’s request for the repatriation of all sculptures from the Parthenon temple, currently exhibited at the British Museum.
The cancellation sparked dismay in Greece, with government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis describing Sunak’s action as “unprecedented and disrespectful.” The Parthenon sculptures have been a source of contention for decades, with Greece seeking the return of the artifacts removed by UK diplomat Lord Elgin in the 19th century.