CANADIAN ENVOY SAYS TIES TO GROW DESPITE ‘GENOCIDE’ ROW
Turkish Daily News
May 9 2007
Canadian Ambassador here Yves Brodeur yesterday admitted that his
country’s recognition of the killing of Armenians at the hands of
the Ottoman Empire as genocide did affect bilateral ties, but said
he believed trade and investment relations would grow further despite
differences.
"I do understand that Turkish authorities are upset with the position
adopted by Canada on this issue. It does affect the relationship but
I do believe that despite our differences we have a relationship which
is mature enough to allow for the development of trade and investment
relations," Brodeur said to the Turkish Daily News.
He said: "At the end of the day, Canadian investors and business
people believe in this country’s potential. They can make a huge
contribution to its development and they are interested in a long
term partnership. Turkey needs investors and solid partners if it
wants to maintain the same growth."
Despite the Turkish government’s warning, Canadian Prime Minister
Stephen Harper recognized the killing of Armenians during World War
I years as genocide in a declaration he issued on April 24, a day
of commemoration for the alleged genocide. In 2004, the Canadian
parliament adopted a resolution acknowledging the genocide claims.