If you look at the lot of people coming into Australia, visa holders would often come from many different places around the world. This is not really that surprising, because the land down under is considered to be one of the best places to move into nowadays. And one of those countries that have a lot of people moving in to Australia is Turkey.
However, aside from immigration, it is surprising to note that both countries actually share a lot with each other. Though many Australians don't really know where Turkey is (they often think that it's a kind of dish) and vice versa, the two countries actually has a long history of relationship with each other. And as you read on, you will gain a better appreciation of the bond that these two have despite the distance that separates them.
The first meeting between Australia and Turkey actually occurred on the battlefield almost a hundred years ago. In World War I, Australia was one of the major participants in the Gallipoli Campaign, led by the British. The campaign was intended to capture the city of Istanbul, then the capital of the Turkish Ottoman Empire. On the other hand, for the Turks, this was to defend themselves from invasion.
The battle was recorded as one of the fiercest that was fought in modern times with heavy casualties on both sides. Though the intended purpose of the campaign did not succeed, the war did eventually led to the formation of the current Republic of Turkey. The war has since been remembered by the two countries with a commemoration every April 24 and 25 in Canakkale, Turkey, where much of the battle took place. Also, both countries contributed in the building of the memorial in ANZAC Cove, also in Turkey, remembering the soldiers from both sides that have died in battle.
After the wars, it took a long time before formal diplomatic relations between the two countries was began. Finally, in 1967, the two opened up diplomatic relationships with each other. Turkey was the first one to do so when it opened its embassy in Canberra that year. On the other hand, Australia followed suit a year later, when it established its own office in the Turkish capital of Ankara.
It would be interesting to note that, despite starting out as enemies, there has been no point of major conflict between Australia and Turkey in their almost fifty years of diplomatic relations. Though there were often clashes of opinion with regards to certain issues, the two countries seemingly are able to easily patch them up. This one many attribute to the mutual respect that both earned from each other during the wars.
And as indicated by the large number of Turks moving into Australia yearly, this is likely to continue for many more years to come.
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