Sunak Cancels Meeting with Mitsotakis Over Disputed Elgin Marbles; Greece Seeks Return of Antiquities Taken from Parthenon
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British PM Sunak cancelled a meeting with Greek PM Mitsotakis in which they were to discuss the Elgin Marbles, ancient Greek sculptures taken from the Parthenon in the early 19th century.
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Greece asserts the marbles were stolen and wants them returned, but Britain maintains it acquired them legally.
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Mitsotakis expressed displeasure over the cancelled meeting, saying Sunak was avoiding the issue.
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The cancellation apparently followed comments Mitsotakis made likening having half the marbles in London to cutting the Mona Lisa in half.
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The British government rules out returning the marbles, believing the British Museum is "the right place" for them, though Greece wants a loan deal.