Greece’s Minister of Tourism, Olga Kefalogianni met with her UK counterpart, Sir Chris Bryant during her official visit to England. Kefalogianni is in the British capital for the World Travel Market (WTM), a major international tourism exhibition, in which Greece is participating.
The meeting’s agenda focused on the strengthening of tourism cooperation between Greece and the UK, as well as the reunification of the Parthenon sculptures, among other things.
According to a related announcement, the discussion took place in a very friendly atmosphere, given the fact that the British politician is a frequent visitor of Greece.
Special emphasis was placed on a tourism memorandum currently being developed scheduled to be signed as part of number of bilateral agreements by both the countries’ prime ministers, in a future meeting.
Both ministers expressed their commitment towards ensuring that the memorandum substantially contributes to the deepening of bilateral tourism cooperation between the countries.
Kefalogianni also raised the issue of the repatriation of the Parthenon marbles, which falls under the responsibilities of her counterpart, as he also represents the British government in related questions submitted in Parliament.
The Greek minister emphasized the uniqueness of the Greek case, pointing out that this is not about the return of individual works of art but about the reunification of the “members of the body” of the Parthenon, a global monument of humanity, a symbol of aesthetics and democracy, and of universal culture.
Sir Bryant acknowledged that he is aware of the issue and Greece’s positions, mentioning that the due to the difficulties stemming from the statutory law of the British Museum, adding that this matter will be discussed at the prime ministerial level due to its significance.
The Minister of Tourism extended an invitation to Sir Bryant to visit Greece at his earliest convenience.
During her stay in London, Kefalogianni will meet with her counterparts from around the world as well as representatives from major tourism organizations and will give interviews to international media.
