Last night, Sir Keir Starmer, the British Prime Minister, lit the Christmas tree outside Downing Street for the first time during his term. Today, at 12:45 PM Greek time, Kyriakos Mitsotakis will officially meet with Mr. Starmer at Number 10, following brief encounters last year at events such as COP28 in Dubai, NATO, and the European Political Community.

The relationship between Greece and the UK, which has faced challenges, is deemed crucial and requires revitalization. This comes after a diplomatic faux pas last year by Starmer’s predecessor, Conservative Rishi Sunak, who canceled a meeting with Mitsotakis to avoid addressing the Parthenon Marbles issue.

While Mitsotakis intends to raise the matter again today, he aims to ensure that bilateral relations are not overshadowed by this topic. According to a senior government source, the matter is being addressed behind the scenes, aiming for progress in the near future. Starmer is expected to cooperate if Greece and the British Museum agree on a framework, potentially involving a long-term loan of the marbles without Greece relinquishing ownership.

Discussions between Athens and the British Museum are reportedly well advanced, with both Mitsotakis and Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis playing key roles in finalizing the legal framework. Developments are anticipated in the new year, supported by UK public opinion favoring the marbles’ return.

Mitsotakis plans to focus on other pressing issues during his meeting, including geopolitical developments, such as the Ukraine conflict and Middle East tensions, alongside migration, energy, tourism, and shipping.

A Model of Political Stability

Mitsotakis also emphasizes Greece’s political stability amid a turbulent Eurozone. He pointed out during a private event with Morgan Stanley and the Athens Stock Exchange that Greece’s fiscal discipline and economic reforms have reassured markets, marking a sharp contrast with past crises.

Speaking to CNN, he highlighted Greece’s fiscal surplus and tax reductions as key achievements, positioning the country as a reliable partner for both the EU and the new U.S. administration. Mitsotakis reiterated that the Draghi report serves as a wake-up call for Europe to pursue more integrated projects, possibly including joint borrowing modeled on the Recovery Fund.