Discussions on the demolition of sculptures in Turkey is “unfortunate,” Turkey’s Culture And Tourism Minister said Monday, April 25, as a crane and cargo truck arrived in the eastern province of Kars to begin the contentious removal of a peace monument.

“I find the discussion on removing sculptures in Turkey unfortunate,” Minister Ertuğrul Günay said during a visit to the American School in İzmir’s Basmane district, where the İzmir Opera and Ballet will temporarily move, Anatolia News Agency reported.

Following a question by a journalist about the impending demolition of Kars Monument to Humanity, Günay said he was sorry the "incorrect" sculpture project was begun in 2006. “There are old military bastions underneath the monument which are registered [as historical sites]. Since 2008, the laws have created controversy. However, neither the law nor the municipalities was able to display the required sensitivity on the issue,” he said.

Günay said he tried to highlight the problems with the monument back in 2008 but added that his warnings were not heeded. “Some requirements were not met and we have arrived at this stage.”

A representative of the contractor company conducting the monument’s demolition said the sculpture was set to be removed Monday after the completion of preparations but heavy winds prevented the crew from starting the demolition.

“After the necessary measurements are made, the monument [24.5 meters in height] will be cut from top to bottom in 18 pieces,” said Reis Karakoç.

During a visit to Kars in January, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan sparked controversy when he declared the Monument to Humanity "freakish" and vowed to demolish it.