Lord Parkinson offered to lend Athens the antiquities if they recognized that they belonged to the British Museum. Photo: ANDY RAIN/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Britain could lend the Elgin Marbles to the Acropolis if Greece changes its position on their rightful home, a government minister has hinted.
Lord Parkinson, Minister for Arts and Heritage , offered Athens to take credit for the antiquities if it recognized that they belonged to the British Museum.
But Lord Frost, a former minister, said he was “unconvinced” by the prospect of the loan, arguing the UK should return the disputed items permanently. Greece treasures in 'grand gesture'.
It followed a major diplomatic row over Marbles, in which Rishi Sunak snubbed a meeting with his Greek counterpart, accusing him of trying to “stand on the podium” and stir up “problems of the past.”
Speaking during Thursday's House of Lords debate, Lord Parkinson stressed that the sculptures legally belong to the trustees of the British Museum, which is independent from the government.
He went on to outline a “hypothetical scenario” in which the museum could receive “an open individual “export licence”, which allows the item to be sent on temporary use for a maximum of three years.
But he said this would only be possible if it was guaranteed that the item in question would be returned to the UK.< /p>
Considering that Greece has long claimed that the sculptures were stolen by Lord Elgin, this is an example of an imperialist regime. looting, he said it was “very difficult” to imagine how such a deal could be struck with Athens.
“It's time for a grand gesture”
The Prime Minister's official spokesman had previously suggested Mr Sunak will not support the loan agreement, telling reporters: “We have no plans to change our approach, and of course we believe that the museum is the right place for them.”
Although the British Museum provided Athens with a loan, Lord Parkinson said Greece had made it clear that this was not an option for Marbles.
“If the Greek government were to change its position, which seems like a big if” (it was their position throughout my life), then it would require an open individual export license, which allows museums to send an object on loan for sale. for up to three years,” he said.
“It is important to note that an open export license can only be used if it is guaranteed that the item will be returned at the end of the loan period.”
He added: “Given the legitimate questions that arise in this hypothetical scenario regarding items being returned, I think it would be important that any credit not extend beyond the term of office of any of the trustees who agreed to it. . They must be able to ensure that the guarantee required in the open export license has been provided.”
Lord Frost, who learned Greek in Greece and lived in Cyprus, said: “The problem with credit is that that it keeps the issue and argument alive. I think we should try to solve this problem for good.
“My personal opinion on this is that the time has come for a grand gesture and only the government can do it. He proposes to return the marble as a one-off gift to Greece from that country, but within the framework and condition of a new wider Anglo-Greek cultural partnership.”
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