For the first time in Turkey´s history, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyib Erdogan has officially sent a letter of condolence to all Armenians ahead of April 24^th. According to the Radikal, Erdogan said the following in his letter of condolence: “April 24^th serves as a good opportunity for all Armenians to discuss the historic issue freely. The fact that the twilight of the Ottoman Empire was a difficult period for the Turks, Kurds, Armenians, Arabs and millions of other people, irrespective of religion. As our ancestors said, the fire burns where it falls. It is our duty as human beings to share the pain of the other civilians and the Armenians of the Ottoman Empire and have an understanding of their memories, but I deem it necessary to mention that it is unacceptable to use the year 1915 as a means of creating political tension. The events that took place during WWI are the pain that we all share. We shouldn’t let the deportations caused by WWI become a barrier for the humanly treatment and attitude between the Armenians and the Turks. We want the souls of all the Armenians who lost their lives in the early 20^th century to rest in peace, and we express our condolences to their grandchildren.”

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