A U S T R A L I A N E M B A S S Y A N K A R A
MEDIA RESLEASE
24 January 2008
AUSTRALIA CELEBRATES ITS NATIONAL DAY
Australia\'s Prime Minister, Mr. Kevin Rudd, has called on all Australians to celebrate their National Day, 26 January.
Mr Rudd said that Australia Day was a time to celebrate what\'s great about Australia. "It is an occasion, more than any other, when we express our national pride in our distinctive landscape, our diverse society and our unique lifestyle," he said.
"In this spirit, we extend a warm welcome to our new citizens who will pledge their loyalty to Australia and its people in 2008."
There are around 60,000 people with Turkish heritage living in Australia. As a result there are strong people-to-people links between the two nations.
On 5 October 1967, the Australian and Turkish governments signed an agreement that led to the first assisted migration of people from Turkey to live and work in Australia. This year the Australian Embassy in Ankara will bring to Turkey a photographic exhibition commemorating the 40th anniversary of Turkish migration to Australia.
Turkey and Australia enjoy a unique friendship and strong historical links formed as a result of the Çanakkale Wars (Gallipoli Campaign) in 1915.
Australia and Turkey are also important trading partners. Between 2002-03 and 2006-07 two-way trade grew by more than 86 per cent to AUD 969 million (approximately 1 billion New Turkish Lira). Gold, goods vehicles, glassware, fruit and nuts are some of the items that Australia imports from Turkey. Principal Australian exports to Turkey are coal, aluminium, lead, and gold.
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Phone: 0312-459 9504
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