Greek Prime Minister rejects loan deals for Parthenon Sculptures

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis publicly reaffirmed his government’s firm stance against any arrangement involving the loan of the Parthenon Sculptures from the British Museum. During a ceremony in Thessaloniki on October 3, 2026, he emphasized that Greece will not accept any deal that implies foreign sovereignty over the artifacts, as they are considered national treasures that must be permanently returned to their place of origin.

Mitsotakis argued that the sculptures are intrinsically linked to the cultural landscape of the Parthenon and should not be treated as mere museum objects. While he clarified that Greece does not question the general mission of global museums, he maintained that the Parthenon remains a unique case that transcends technical or legal definitions. The government continues to insist on a permanent return, rejecting any status that would categorize the artifacts as a temporary loan or under foreign legal ownership.