Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has expressed hope that a deal can still be reached to return the Parthenon marbles to Greece, emphasizing the need for "political will" from both sides. However, he has made it clear that Greece will not accept a loan arrangement similar to the recent temporary display of the Bayeux tapestry in the British Museum. In an article for The Guardian, Mitsotakis stated that Greece "cannot accept any arrangement that would require it to recognize the British Museum's ownership of the sculptures," or one that would involve "borrowing" parts of a monument that belongs to Greece. The British Museum's director, Nicholas Cullinan, had previously suggested that the 10-month loan of the Bayeux tapestry—France’s medieval tapestry depicting the Battle of Hastings—could serve as a model for a potential agreement. Cullinan described the exchange as a successful international partnership, though he also acknowledged that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to the issue. Mitsotakis, however, argued that the situation with the Parthenon marbles is fundamentally different. He pointed out that half of the frieze is already in Athens and that no one would suggest splitting the Bayeux tapestry in two. He also referenced former Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, who once supported the return of the marbles, noting that Greece would not accept anything less than the full "reunification" of the sculptures in Athens. Mitsotakis suggested that a resolution could form the basis of a broader cultural partnership between Greece and the UK, including new opportunities for exhibitions, scholarship, and museum exchanges. However, recent reports indicate that talks between the British Museum and the Greek government have faced challenges. The Telegraph reported that the negotiations were on the brink of collapse, though sources close to the discussions disputed this, saying there is still a significant gap to bridge. Burnham, who once supported the return of the marbles, has recently stated that the matter is now up to the British Museum. The Parthenon marbles, also known as the Elgin marbles, were removed from Athens more than 200 years ago by Lord Elgin, who was Britain’s ambassador to the Ottoman Empire at the time. The sculptures, carved over 2,500 years ago by the master sculptor Phidias, adorned the Parthenon’s frieze before their controversial removal. Elgin, who was later bankrupted, sold the marbles to the British government in 1816. The dispute over their ownership has persisted for decades, with Greece arguing that the artifacts were unlawfully taken and should be returned, while the UK maintains that the British Museum has the right to keep them. Former Chancellor George Osborne, now chair of the British Museum, confirmed in 2023 that talks were ongoing, but he also clarified that he was not seeking to change the law, which prohibits the museum from permanently removing items from its collection. Proposals have included temporary displays in both London and Athens, with Greece potentially offering other treasures in exchange. The British Museum has reaffirmed its openness to a deal, though its position on the marbles remains unchanged.