“Removing the Soviet monuments from Narva and Narva-Jõesuu was a very big operation. Given the escalating tension around the Soviet monuments in Narva, the government had to act quickly to ensure public order and internal security. We will not give Russia the opportunity to use the past to fracture Estonia’s domestic peace,” said Prime Minister Kaja Kallas.
“Early this morning, the government took the decision and by the afternoon, the military monuments to foreign powers had been removed and the tank had arrived at the Viimsi War Museum. It all took place quickly and peacefully, and hopefully it will stay that way. The Soviet monuments that were a source of tension have disappeared from the public space and we can move forward together. We share a common future and it is time to focus on it.”
“I would like to thank everyone involved in the removal operation for their quick and thoughtful action and the understanding of the local residents. Estonia is our shared home and we want peace and order to prevail here. That takes effort,” said Kallas.
On the basis of today’s government decision, the commemorative plaques on Peetri Square, the memorial to the Red Army soldiers in the Narva Castle Park, and the memorial to Igor Grafov were removed from the public space in Narva. In Narva-Jõesuu, in addition to the tank monument, the “Three Bayonets” memorial and the Meriküla landing memorial were removed. The marker of the common grave of those who fell in World War II, located between the Narva River and the Victoria bastion, was changed to a neutral one.
Press release on the government’s decision: https://valitsus.ee/uudised/valitsus-teisaldab-narvas-noukogude-liidu-sojamonumendid
More information https://riigikantselei.ee/monumendid
