According to official sources cited by The Guardian, discussions between Greece's Foreign Ministry and the chairman of the British Museum, George Osborne, are nearing a potential deal to return the sculptures to Athens. "The mood music has completely changed," said one source close to the negotiations.

UK officials hinted Tuesday that a deal was in the works with Greece to end a decades-long dispute over the highly contested and priceless Parthenon Marbles.A spokesman for Starmer later indicated that the UK government would not stand in the way of any agreement between Greece and the British Museum to end the centuries-old saga.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed Kyriakos Mitsotakis to 10 Downing St. for talks focused on migration, the war in Ukraine and efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza. Starmer’s office said the fate of the marbles was not on the British leader’s agenda.

UK law prevents the British Museum from permanently returning the sculptures to Greece. Talks are reportedly underway about a long-term loan, but the government has said it will not change the law to enable their permanent removal.

The British and Greek prime ministers held talks Tuesday focused on illegal migration and supporting Ukraine but with a long-running dispute over the Parthenon Marbles ancient art work looming over the meeting.

The Independent reports that Mitsotakis has reportedly held private meetings with British Museum officials, including chairman George Osborne, where the return of the Parthenon Sc