Turkey supports Greece’s ownership claim of the Elgin Marbles
In a public intervention, a representative from Turkey stated at a Unesco summit that there is no evidence to support the claim that the Ottoman Empire sold the works to Lord Elgin.
Turkey has supported Greece’s claim over the Elgin Marbles, challenging the UK’s argument that the sculptures were legally obtained during the Ottoman Empire’s rule.
During a Unesco intergovernmental committee summit, Turkish representative Zeynep Boz informed the delegates that there is no document that legitimizes the purchase of the marbles by British individuals at that historical moment.
Greece has persistently requested the return of these historical works, which were taken from Athens by Lord Elgin in the early 19th century when he served as the British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire.
The UK has maintained that Lord Elgin legally acquired the sculptures, citing a historic document in Italian, although such a record is absent among surviving Ottoman Empire documents.
Turkey’s involvement in the dispute occurred on May 29, following a case presented by Greek representatives during a three-day Unesco summit on promoting the return of cultural property to their countries of origin.
A Greek representative argued that returning the Parthenon sculptures would restore the integrity of a world heritage monument symbolizing Western civilization.
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