"Occupiers' monument" in Pardaugava will be dismantled - president

RIGA - The "occupiers' monument" in Pardaugava, Riga, will be dismantled, President Egils Levits repeatedly confirmed following a meeting with Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins (New Unity) on Wednesday. 

The president also noted that both the prime minister and he believe that the monument to the Soviet Army must not remain in Pardauaga and has to be removed. 

The president indicated that draft legislation has been submitted to the Saeima so that the monument could be dismantled as soon as possible. The best way to remove the memorial will be sought in the process of the bill's adoption, the president said. 

"At any rate, the bill's adoption must not be hurried, as this would cause new problems, but there should not be delays either. The "occupiers' monument must be dismantled, and later it will be necessary to look what to do with similar monuments elsewhere in Latvia," the president said, reiterating that currently the main problem in the monument in Pardaugava. 

Several companies have already volunteered to help organize the removal of the Soviet-era monument, Aleksis Zoldners, an advisor to Riga Mayor Martins Stakis, told LETA. 

JaunRiga Eco and Forma 2 have offered the city government free construction monitoring services in the process of the monument's demolition, while Sarma&Norde Arhitekti has offered to draw up the dismantling project.  

As reported, the Riga City Council at an extraordinary meeting last Friday ruled in favor of dismantling of the Soviet-era monument in Pardaugava, Riga.

The councilors decided to task Riga Municipal Monument Agency with all the necessary steps necessary to dismantle the "Monument to the Liberators of Soviet Latvia and Riga from the German Fascist Invaders".

Also, the Riga City Council decided that the Riga City Council city development department, the property department and the Riga Municipal Police should provide the agency with all necessary support in this matter.

The decision was made by 39 votes to 13. One lawmaker did not vote and seven were not present at the meeting.