RIGA, Oct 17 (LETA) - The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development expects the local government of Latvia's second largest city Daugavpils to dismantle Soviet-era monuments by the end of October, LETA was told at the ministry. 

The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development has received from the local government a written promise to remove these objects by the end of the month. 

The ministry will continue to follow the dismantling of Soviet-era monuments in Daugavpils. 

As reported, members of Daugavpils City Council last Thursday decided against allocating financing necessary to dismantle Soviet-era monuments in the city that glorify the Soviet regime and the Red Army.

While deciding on meeting requirements of the law on the removal of Soviet monuments, adopted by the Saeima on June 16, the Daugavpils councilors decided not to allocate EUR 57,387 for the removal of two objects - a memorial to the Red Army in the former Square of Glory and a memorial to a rifle division of the Red Army at the intersection of November 18 Street and Vasarnicu Street.

Meanwhile, former Daugavpils mayor Janis Lacplesis (Latgale Party/Development) believes that the city has money for the demolition of Soviet-era monuments but that it lacks will to comply with the law. 

Earlier, the city council promised to dismantle the monument glorifying the Soviet regime by the November 15 deadline.

LETA also reported that a law banning display of objects glorifying Soviet and Nazi regimes and requiring their removal came into effect in Latvia on June 23 after the Saeima passed it on June 16. According to the law, all objects glorifying totalitarian regimes in Latvia's territory have to be removed by November 15.