i suppose australia is so far away that turkish people wouldn't really see it as a place to go and visit, unless they have family here.

otherwise, they would only really come into contact with australians when they visit turkey as tourists and at the anzac day ceremonies.

M

After gezbelle's post about "shared history" and Anzacs, I found something that I didn't know. It seems that Turkey and Australia, two distant countries, are trying to develop their relationship. Although it is military , it can serve as a a starting point for two nations for further relations. I just wanted to share it

May 13, 2006

Australia and Turkey have signed a new agreement to strengthen defence cooperation.

Head of the Australian Defence Force Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston and Commander of the Turkish Armed Forces General Hilmi Ozkok formalised the arrangements at a ceremony in Canberra.

Air Chief Marshal Houston said it would strengthen the defence relationship between Australia and Turkey.

"The agreement will give Australia and Turkey the flexibility to enhance cooperation in military and defence areas of mutual interest, including ANZAC Day commemorations, defence materiel cooperation and educational exchanges," he said in a statement.

"Australia and Turkey increasingly share global strategic interests that can benefit from closer defence cooperation."

General Ozkok is visiting Australia as a guest of Air Chief Marshal Houston and will meet Governor General Michael Jeffery and Defence Minister Brendan Nelson.

Air Chief Marshal Houston said Turkey was an active member of NATO and was contributing to operations in which Australia was also involved, such as Afghanistan.

teşekkürler homesick... i didn't know of these arrangements either. that is pretty interesting.

over here in australia, in our anzac day celebrations, i think in the past few years, turkish ex-soldiers who fought in gallipoli are now honoured and march alongside their australian counterparts in the annual anzac day parades.

the turkish soldiers are the only non-australian "enemies" (so to speak, as we didn't fight for the same side then) who are allowed to march.

the japanese and german ex-soldiers from world war 2, etc. aren't allowed to march.

i think it is because of what happened in gallipoli and the stories of friendship/courtesy between the australians, new zealanders, and turkish soldiers (even though we fought on different sides) that we have been told as we grow up.

AND JAPAN...

hey...what about Asians. What's the impression of Asian's in turk's eyes.

Asians (includes Japanese, korean, Thais, Malaysians, Indonesians & not forgetting Singaporeans - yours truly)

ok. what do we hate here?...a President? a government? or the whole nation? Unfortunately, as part of this nation (USA)I feel included in the list which is not fair. We have become judges when in reality, it is not the whole nation's fault for the decisions made by one individual and his followers. I have met very nice Turkish people here and I can not hate no one regarless of its etnicity or political preferences. I have traveled enough and learned how to appreciate people not its government or who they follow. That is why I feel free to be here with you all, sharing my thoughts. I believe each of us no matter where we are from are nice people, capable of appreciate each other...regardless where are we from.

teşekkür ederim

watching turkish tv you can see that they don't like Israel. And Armenia.