Prof Stamatoudi, who suggested the Greek tradition minister throughout earlier Elgin Marbles negotiations, advised BBC Radio 4’s Immediately programme she believes “a deal is shut” however was not sure if it was “shut sufficient”.

She mentioned the Greek authorities has proposed a “cultural, strategic partnership” which might contain different antiquities being despatched to the British Museum to fill the gallery which might be left vacant by any return.

Negotiations over what may very well be despatched to the British Museum are “secret”, Prof Stamatoudi mentioned, including that whereas she shouldn’t be personally concerned on this spherical of talks, she believes it might contain “antiquities that appeal to public consideration”.

Prof Statamoudi mentioned securing the return is one thing “all Greeks are obsessed with” because the antiquities are extensively thought-about to be a part of the nation’s “cultural heritage”.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has made securing the return of the Elgin Marbles a political precedence.

The difficulty brought on a diplomatic spat final yr when then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak cancelled a deliberate assembly with Mitsotakis after he indicated he would use it to lift the difficulty.

The earlier authorities mentioned the sculptures ought to stay within the museum. In opposition, Labour’s view was they would not stand in the way in which of a mortgage association between the British Museum and Athens if one was organized.

Authorities sources in Athens have advised Greek media Mitsotakis desires to “choose up the thread” with Starmer following a gathering between the pair in November 2023.

Earlier this week, Greek authorities spokesman Pavlos Marinakis mentioned Mitsotakis would elevate the difficulty once more with Starmer however that it was extra of a matter for the British Museum than the federal government.

He additionally denied a Sky Information report, exterior that three personal conferences had taken place between senior Greek officers and members of the British Museum board of administrators.

Requested in the event that they mentioned the potential return of the marbles, Starmer’s official spokesman mentioned: “The federal government’s place is that now we have no plans to alter the regulation that will allow a everlasting transfer, and that the case of choices referring to the care and administration and sculptures are a matter for the trustees for the British Museum, which is operationally unbiased of the federal government.”

Downing Avenue additionally mentioned the federal government had not been requested to think about any return proposal by the British Museum.