Greek PM vows to escalate campaign for return of Parthenon Marbles

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has vowed to intensify pressure on Britain and the British Museum to return the Parthenon Marbles, rejecting loan proposals.

• Mitsotakis said talks with the British Museum had failed to progress, the first time he publicly conceded the negotiations were stalled.
• He vowed to ramp up pressure on both the British Museum and the UK government, including in a meeting with Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
• He rejected British proposals for a temporary loan, saying acceptance would constitute official recognition of British ownership of the sculptures.
• Mitsotakis linked the issue to closer UK-EU ties, citing Burnham's prior support for returning the artworks.