Yerevan /Mediamax/. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan conveyed condolences to the grandchildren of Armenians who "lost their lives in the context of early 20th century”.

Reuters informs that the Turkish PM made this statement addressing a speech in the Turkish parliament, and the text of the speech is available on the PM’s website in nine languages, including eastern and western Armenians.

“The 24th of April carries a particular significance for our Armenian citizens and for all Armenians around the world, and provides a valuable opportunity to share opinions freely on a historical matter. It is indisputable that the last years of the Ottoman Empire were a difficult period, full of suffering for Turkish, Kurdish, Arab, Armenian and millions of other Ottoman citizens, regardless of their religion or ethnic origin. Any conscientious, fair and humanistic approach to these issues requires an understanding of all the sufferings endured in this period, without discriminating as to religion or ethnicity”, the statement reads.

“It is the duty of humanity to acknowledge that Armenians remember the suffering experienced in that period, just like every other citizen of the Ottoman Empire”, stated Erdogan.

The PM recalled that the “Turkish Republic has called for the establishment of a joint historical commission in order to study the events of 1915 in a scholarly manner”.

“This call remains valid. Scholarly research to be carried out by Turkish, Armenian and international historians would play a significant role in shedding light on the events of 1915 and an accurate understanding of history. It is with this understanding that we have opened our archives to all researchers. Today, hundreds of thousands of documents in our archives are at the service of historians”, said Erdogan.

“It is our hope and belief that the peoples of an ancient and unique geography, who share similar customs and manners will be able to talk to each other about the past with maturity and to remember together their losses in a decent manner, and we wish that the Armenians who lost their lives in the context of the early twentieth century rest in peace, and we convey our condolences to their grandchildren”, stated Erdogan.