European Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan Füle said on Monday that the European Union is “deeply concerned” about the demolition of a monument in Turkey's eastern province of Kars as he said that it is the only statue dedicated to the struggle of peace between Armenia and Turkey.
In response to a proposal presented by some European Parliament members, Füle said that neither the commission, nor any other statesman can define the aesthetic value of the statue, and that to demolish a piece of art is a “very serious decision.”
Popularly known as the “Monument to Humanity,” the statue has been almost demolished on grounds that it had been illegally erected.
The controversy surrounding the statue began after Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called it a “monstrosity.” It was erected to commemorate the Ottoman soldiers who froze to death 96 years ago during a military operation against Russia. The “Monument to Humanity” is also meant to symbolize the friendship between Turkey and Armenia.
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