VILNIUS, May 13. /TASS/. The Riga City Council on Friday voted to start preparations required to remove a monument to Soviet soldiers in the city’s Victory Park, the Latvian Radio and Television organization reported, citing Riga Mayor Martins Stakis.

He said the decision was made at a special session on May 13. The preparations, including a search for contractors, were assigned to the Monuments Agency and some other council organizations.

City Council Chairman Stakis earlier said the Latvian parliament had to pass a law that would allow to dismantle the monument. The Justice Ministry was ordered to submit a legal justification for the removal of the monument to Soviet soldiers.

The Latvian Saeima on May 12 passed the final reading of a bill that suspends an agreement with Russia regarding monuments, which allows a demolition of the monument to Soviet soldiers in Riga.