Mr. Stephen Harper, the Prime Minister of Canada, made a statement on 24th of April, related to the events of 1915 to which he referred as “genocide”.

We find this reference in the statement of the Canadian Prime Minister unacceptable, unjust and incompatible with our relations as friends and allies.

Turkey remains committed to preserving her good will and constructive approach in order to assure that the events of 1915 are understood correctly in their entirety by the Turks, the Armenians and other nations. Turkey’s proposal to establish a Joint Commission of Historians is still on the table and has been brought widely to the attention of the international public opinion. This Commission will be open to all concerned and competent historians regardless of their nationality.

We regret Prime Minister Harper’s statement which will contribute neither to the promotion of the Turkish-Canadian relations nor to a possible rapprochement between Turkey and Armenia. We believe that Mr. Harper continues to be misled, and suggest that He encourages competent Canadian historians into studying the events of 1915 on a proper basis.