Authors K. P. Papadiochou and Sakis Ioannidis assert in their article, “Last Mile for the Marbles “, that 80% of the issues have been agreed upon.
However, the reader is also cautioned that the remaining 20% is proving difficult, and further progress, even by small increments, will be challenging.
For the Parthenon Sculptures to be returned to the Acropolis Museum, potentially under a formula that is disguised as a “loan” but which has a permanent character, three primary obstacles, or “thorns,” need to be addressed:
Scope of Return
Athens aims to repatriate sculptural items that are essential for completing the unity of the Parthenon Sculptures. While artefacts not directly relevant to this unity, such as the Caryatid from the Erechtheion, might remain in the British Museum, Athens is pushing for the return of as many sculptures as possible from this secondary category.
Timing of Implementation
The British side reportedly wants to ‘lock in’ an exchange where significant Greek exhibits would be hosted by the British Museum in multi-year periodic exhibitions as compensation for the Sculptures’ return. Conversely, Athens desires the immediate implementation of any agreed exchange to reunify the sculptures and restore the Parthenon monument’s unity.
Legal Framework
The British Museum is reportedly insistent on wording that indirectly refers to a “loan,” which would offer protection against potential legal claims. It is understood that Athens will not accept an agreement that implies a transfer of the (disputed) ownership of the Parthenon Sculptures.
