The President of the Hellenic Republic Constantine An. Tassoulas, received human rights lawyer Ms. Amal Clooney at the Presidential Palace.
Mr. Tassoulas reminded that 12 years ago, when he was Minister of Culture, he commissioned the law firm Doughty Street Chambers, where Ms. Clooney works, to prepare a study on the terms for the return of the Parthenon Sculptures. “And I must admit,” he stressed, “that your contribution, through the legal opinion you submitted regarding the reunification of the Sculptures, was truly of critical importance. It contributed to a deeper understanding of the core of the issue, because it is not merely a matter of return, nor is it a question of defeat or victory on the part of the United Kingdom. The reunification of the Sculptures with the Parthenon is a magnificent gesture and this must be understood by the British side.” He added that Ms. Clooney, through her legal opinion, contributed to the mobilization and direct participation and engagement of the international public opinion on the issue.
Ms. Amal Clooney warmly thanked the President of the Hellenic Republic for his words, emphasized the value of exchanging cultural treasures and referred to the recent example of the Bayeux Tapestry, which, based on an intergovernmental agreement, was transferred from France and is being exhibited in the United Kingdom.
“The exchange of cultural artifacts can contribute to building bridges in a world that is divided and characterized by so much discord. I am looking forward to tonight’s event (Artificial Intelligence and Culture), which will take place in what is perhaps the most beautiful place I have ever been invited to speak, the Temple of Olympian Zeus.”
The President of the Hellenic Republic presented Ms. Clooney with the printed edition of the legal opinion she drafted herself with Mr. Jeffrey Robertson and Mr. Norman Palmer in 2014, which was published in the printing office of the Hellenic Parliament, during the presidency of Mr. Tassoulas.
Ms. Amal Clooney, in turn, presented Mr. Tassoulas with two legal books she co-authored, “The Right to a Fair Trial in International Law” and “Freedom of Speech in International Law” (Oxford).
