Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay Reaffirms Canadian Government’s Recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

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For Immediate Release
Nov.16,06 Contact: Kevor Manguelian Tel. (613) 235-2622

Ottawa—Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay reaffirmed the Canadian government’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide, during a round table discussion with the National Ethnic Press and Media Council (NEPMCC) on Nov. 8. The minister also clarified his position on the Turkish Government’s proposal to create a historians’ commission to study the Armenian Genocide.

Minister Mackey assured the Canadian-Armenian community that the Canadian Government’s policy on the recognition of the Armenian Genocide has “not changed. Nothing has changed in that regard,” stressed Mr. MacKay.

In response to a question from Aris Babikian, Horizon Weekly representative to NEPMCC and the executive director of the Armenian National Committee of Canada (ANCC), Mr. MacKay stated: “Canada would support a joint study that would involve participation from academics from both countries with the inclusion, perhaps, a neutral country that would be acceptable to both. So a dialogue around what is clearly incredibly sensitive and loaded issue could lead to greater meeting of minds plus an opening of a dialogue on other important issues—trade, travel, greater communication, the blockade of Armenia—is useful exercise that might bring about some greater healing.”

In response to studies by more than 450 historians and international organizations confirming the uncontested historical reality of the Armenian Genocide, Mr. MacKay said: “I am not disputing what you [Babikian] said in terms of the amount of study that has accrued already.”

In a related story, Robert Kocharian, president of Armenia, replied to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s proposal to form a historians’ commission by saying: "A suggestion to address the past cannot be effective if it deflects from addressing the present and the future. In order to engage in a useful dialogue, we need to create the appropriate and conducive political environment. It is the responsibility of governments to develop bilateral relations and we do not have the right to delegate that responsibility to historians. That is why we have proposed and propose again that, without pre-conditions, we establish normal relations between our two countries."

“Minister MacKay’s clarifications are greatly appreciated by the ANCC and the Canadian Armenian Community. To build neighbourly and friendly relations Armenia and Turkey must talk and establish joint intergovernmental commissions to discuss all outstanding issues between the two countries,” said Babikian. “After all Armenia and Turkey are bound to coexist and prosper next to each other.”