The meeting was canceled a few hours before the meeting, and the British prime minister "annoyed" the Greek prime minister

Chinanews.com, November 11 Comprehensive foreign media reported that on the 28th local time, British Prime Minister Sunak suddenly announced the cancellation of the meeting scheduled with Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis, and the two would originally discuss a number of issues at the meeting, including the Parthenon sculpture. Mitsotakis was "annoyed" by this and criticized.

Image source: Screenshot of the Reuters report

According to Reuters, Greece has repeatedly asked the British Museum to permanently return the sculpture removed from the Parthenon by British diplomat Thomas Bruce, "Earl of Elgin", in the early 19th century. These sculptures have been a source of controversy between the two countries for centuries.

The Greek government has been in discussions with the British Museum about the ownership of the sculptures. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited the UK on November 11 and had hoped to discuss a solution to the issue in a meeting with Sunak, but Sunak abruptly announced that the meeting was cancelled.

According to The Guardian, Mitsotakis said in a statement: "I am annoyed that the British Prime Minister cancelled the meeting a few hours before the scheduled meeting. ”

"The position of Greece on the issue of Parthenon sculpture is well known. I would have liked to have had the opportunity to discuss this with the British leadership. Anyone who believes that their position is right and fair will not be afraid to face arguments. He said.

The statement concluded with Mitsotakis rebuked Sunak for failing to rise to the challenge of discussing the ownership of cultural relics, which sparked "the longest-running cultural dispute in the West".

In response, Sunak's aides described Sunak's actions as "wrong and undignified".

Asked how they would respond to Mitsotakis' statement, Sunak's office said the UK's relationship with Greece was "very important" and that the two countries needed to work together to tackle global challenges, such as tackling illegal immigration. Sunak's office also said that British Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden could meet with Mitsotakis to discuss these issues.

According to the New York Times, a spokesman for the British Museum said in an interview that the museum would not comment on Sunak's decision, but constructive negotiations were underway.

The British government has consistently refused to relinquish ownership of the sculptures, stating that the sculptures were legally acquired by the British. Sunak has also said on several occasions that he will not allow the sculptures to leave the British Museum permanently.

Mitsotakis said in an interview with the BBC on November 11 local time that negotiations on the return of the sculptures to Greece were not progressing as expected. He said that the continued presence of the sculptures in the British Museum was like "cutting the Mona Lisa in half", and that it was not a matter of ownership, but of "reunification".

According to the Guardian, the remarks appeared to have "angered" Sunak, who saw no reason for talks.

British government sources admitted that "everyone is speculating" about how both sides will respond to the consequences.