15:00 • 16.03.21 “The marbles belong in the Parthenon. In these difficult times, universal cultural heritage should uplift humanity, not divide it. #ParthenonMarbles” European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas posted on Twitter. The Greek City of Times reports that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson dismissed Greece’s call to return the Parthenon Marbles to the country last week, arguing that the 2,500-year-old cultural treasures are “legally owned by the British Museum’s Trustees.” “I understand the strong feelings of the Greek people – and indeed Prime Minister Mitsotakis – on the issue,” Johnson said during an interview with Ta Nea. “But the UK government has a longstanding firm position on the sculptures which is that they were legally acquired by Lord Elgin under the appropriate laws of the time and have been legally owned by the British Museum’s Trustees since their acquisition,” he added.