The mainstream media criticized Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s decision to demolish the Monument of Humanity dedicated to the Armenian-Turkish friendship in Kars, Hayots Ashkharh newspaper reports.

“The Islamist-rooted Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan unleashed a storm of criticism during a visit to Kars in January when he described the monument as a “monstrosity” and “weird”. His remarks may have been aimed at pleasing nationalists ahead of general elections in June,” AFP wrote.

“Erdogan ordered a monument to friendship between Turkey and Armenia torn down, signaling the depth of a freeze in efforts to reopen the border and improve relations between the two neighbors,” Wall Street Journal reported.