Demolition of the monument to Armenia-Turkey friendship, branded as “monstrous” by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was suspended in Kars.

The workers explained it by the fact that they were not paid, Hurriyet newspaper reports.

About 70 % of the monument to Armenia-Turkey friendship was dismantled. However, the workers claimed they had not received wages and stopped it.

Mayor of Kars Nevzat Bozkus confirmed the information, adding “Afshin” and “Yaman Karot” companies have problems. The mayor stressed in any case, the work will be completed till June 24.

As Armenian News-NEWS.am reported earlier, during his visit to Kars, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan called the monument to Armenia-Turkey friendship “monstrous” and ordered to demolish it.

Former Mayor of Kars Naif Alibeyoglu has always stood for the opening of the Armenia-Turkey border without any preconditions and for this purpose organized a collection of signature in Kars. On his initiative, a large monument was put to represent the Armenian-Turkish friendship and peace. However, Alibeyoglu was defeated in the mayoral elections in 2009. The unfinished monument was put near the old Armenian district of Kars.