Australia–Turkey relations

Monthly value of Australian merchandise exports to Turkey (A$ millions) since 1988

Monthly value of Turkish merchandise exports to Australia (A$ millions) since 1988

Foreign relations exist between the

Commonwealth of Australia and the Republic of Turkey. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1967. Australia has had an embassy in Ankara since 1968, a consulate-general in Istanbul and a consulate in Çanakkale. Turkey has had an embassy in Canberra since 1967 and two consulates-general in Melbourne and Sydney

.

History

Gallipoli campaign

Memorial of ANZAC Cove; commemorating the loss of thousands of Turkish and Anzac soldiers in Gallipoli

The first encounter of Turkey and Australia was on the

battlefields of Çanakkale. Allied troops from the British Empire, France and Russia landed in Gallipoli to secure passage through the Dardanelles

, providing a naval route to Russia, an allied power.

The history between the two countries constitutes a strong foundation to further strengthen and deepen their relations in every field. The warm sentiments between Turkish and Australian nations were exemplified in the message of

New Zealander mothers in 1934 and is as follows:^[1]

Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives… you are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets where they lie side by side here in this country of ours… You the mothers who sent their sons from far away countries, wipe away your tears. Your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. Having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons as well.

ANZAC Cove

, the location where the troops landed.

Since World War I

Contemporary

A ballot was held to allocate passes for Australians and New Zealanders wishing to attend Anzac Day commemorations at Gallipoli in 2015. Of the 10,500 people who could be safely, securely and comfortably accommodated at the Anzac Commemorative Site, in 2015 this comprised places for 8,000 Australians, 2,000 New Zealanders and 500 official representatives of all nations involved in the Gallipoli campaign. Only those who received an offer of attendance passes attended the commemorations in 2015.^[2]

In March 2019, Australian Prime Minister

Gallipoli campaign of World War I.^[4]

References

^ Ataturk. Australian War Memorial Online-Encyclopedia, Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 25 April 2011
^ "Welcome to the Gallipoli 2015 website". gallipoli2015.dva.gov.au. Archived from the original on 15 August 2015. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
^ "Turkey's Erdogan directs incendiary comments at Australia, New Zealand". CBC News. 20 March 2019.
^ "'Deeply offended' PM demands Turkey's Erdogan withdraws Gallipoli 'coffins' comment". SBS News. 20 March 2019.

External links

Australian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Turkey Archived 1 September 2014 at the Wayback Machine

[1] Ataturk. Australian War Memorial Online-Encyclopedia, Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 25 April 2011

[2] "Welcome to the Gallipoli 2015 website". gallipoli2015.dva.gov.au. Archived from the original on 15 August 2015. Retrieved 23 January 2015.

[3] "Turkey's Erdogan directs incendiary comments at Australia, New Zealand". CBC News. 20 March 2019.

[4] "'Deeply offended' PM demands Turkey's Erdogan withdraws Gallipoli 'coffins' comment". SBS News. 20 March 2019.

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