Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 72: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the call for a recognition of the issue of the Armenian Genocide of 1915; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23655/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The events which resulted in the tragic deaths of very large numbers of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire more than ninety years ago continue to cast a shadow over relations between Turkey and Armenia, whose historical interpretations of these events have diverged sharply. The Turkish Government has proposed the establishment of a commission, composed of eminent academics, to investigate and determine the facts of this tragic episode in their shared history. While it has not been possible to move forward on the basis of this proposal, we would encourage both sides to explore ways to make progress on this most sensitive issue.

I take encouragement from the indications of initial moves by both the Turkish and Armenian authorities recently aimed at improving bilateral relations – including that, when President Sargsyan of Armenia took office earlier this year, he promised to improve ties with Turkey, while Turkish President Abdullah Gul was among those who congratulated him on his election. I would urge both sides to build on these tentative links and to establish a higher level of mutual confidence, as a basis for efforts to deal with the tragic events of their shared past. I believe it is appropriate for us to show due respect for the extreme sensitivity of the issues involved, by confining ourselves to making clear our support for such efforts.