A distinguished London-based legal team, including human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, met with the Greek government on Tuesday to provide legal advice on the repatriation of the 2,500-year-old Parthenon Marbles from the British museum.

Greek Minister of Culture Konstantinos Tassoulas welcomed at his office lawyer Amal Clooney, who recently married Hollywood movie star George Clooney, Geoffrey Robertson and Norman Plamer, from the legal firm Doughty Street Chambers, and discussed Greece's legal options.

"The issue of the reunification of the Parthenon Marbles is a leading topic, which has occupied Greece for many years. With severity, faith and optimism, we owe to do everything we can for the success of this purpose, which is not only for our country, but for our cultural heritage," Tassoulas said after their meeting.

The discussion was focused on the legal route for the return of the Marbles removed from the Parthenon in 1806 by Lord Elgin, British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire when it ruled Greece.

"The strategy to be followed will be decided solely by the Greek government. Any opinion and legal proposal contributing to a better claim for marbles is welcomed by the Greek Republic," Tassoulas added.

"I am extremely optimistic that a consensus solution can be found, and if this is not feasible, other approaches should be considered," Palmer said.

Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras is to meet Amal Clooney on Wednesday at his office followed by a guided tour of the Acropolis Museum.

Geoffrey Robertson and Amal Clooney were first asked to provide legal advice to the Greek government on this matter in 2011.

Greece has raised the matter at UNESCO and recently in Paris the international organization issued a unanimous recommendation to Britain to participate in the mediation process. Endit

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