Parthenon Marbles in UK is like cutting the Mona Lisa in half, says Greek PM

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said returning the Parthenon Marbles to Greece is about “reunification” not “ownership.” In an interview on the British state broadcaster BBC on Sunday, the Greek PM added that Greece will continue to pursue the return of the Parthenon marbles, although progress in negotiations is slow.

“If I told you [to] cut the Mona Lisa in half… do you think your viewers would appreciate the beauty of the painting?” Mitsotakis  argued in an effort to visualize his position on the matter.

Mitsotakis is on a three-day working visit to London as of Sunday, where he would also meet opposition leader Kai Stramer who recently claimed that he would work on the Parthenon marbles issue, once he becomes a prime minister.

He added that Greece has implemented “a strict but fair policy”, and the main goal was a reduction of boats with migrants leaving Turkey’s shores. Reducing the number of migrants arriving at Greek islands greatly relieved the residents of the islands, he noted, but he also noted that the processing for asylum applications has speeded up as well.

Asked if the Greek Coast Guard made any mistakes regarding the Pylos issue, Mitsotakis responded that the issue is under investigation by the Greek justice.

And added that the Coast Guard has saved tens of thousands of migrants all these years. He also underlined the role human traffickers play in migration as key actors in tragedies.

“they refused our help. At the end of the day we should hold smugglers accountable,” claimed the Greek prime minister claimed further.

Video: Mitsotakis’ on BBC via Greek state-run news agency amna