Lithuania's Klaipeda plans to remove Soviet memorial – mayor

VILNIUS – The authorities in Lithuania's western port city of Klaipeda plan to remove the existing memorial to Soviet soldiers, the city's Mayor Vytautas Grubliauskas says, adding, however, it will not be a short process.

"There's probably no doubt we will be definitely taking this path. (...) Lenin left Klaipeda, and not just one, band also a cannon was removed. Perhaps it is time for other Soviet symbols to leave Klaipeda, and also the whole of Lithuania," Grubliauskas told reporters on Wednesday.

However, the first steps should be taken by responsible authorities as they need to remove the existing restrictions on these objects, he said.

"I will initiate a political discussion here in Klaipeda on who, how and, what sees," Grubliauskas said.

The mayor acknowledged that the monument marks the burial place of 700 people, adding that the "emotional aspect" cannot be ignored.

"All these issues have to be dealt with very responsibly, but without any doubt without delay and with sufficient determination", he said.