ID :
178082
Tue, 04/26/2011 - 16:40
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Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/178082
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''Turks and Aussies created a legacy of friendship and mutual respect after Gallipoli'', Turkish FM says to Australian daily
ANKARA (A.A) - 26.04.2011 - Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has said that Turkey and Australia created a legacy of friendship and mutual respect, instead of a legacy of hatred and revenge after the Battle of Gallipoli in 1915.
In an interview with Australian daily The Sydney Morning Herald, Davutoglu said the relationship that developed between the two former enemies "is a very great example in world history."
"Gallipoli is important for both the nations' nation-building processes," he said.
Davutoglu said the defeat became a symbol of sacrifice and courage for the young Australia, and the victory was the proving ground for the commander who went on to found modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.
"Out of Gallipoli, we did not create a legacy of hatred and revenge," Davutoglu told the Herald. "We created a legacy of friendship and mutual respect. And based on this psychological and historical background, there's huge potential and compatibility."
Describing Turkey, a member of NATO, as a rising power in Eurasia and a model for the aspiring democracies of the Arab world, Davutoglu said he regarded Australia as a "strategic partner".
He said that he had frequent discussions with his Australian counterpart, Kevin Rudd, on several emerging agenda topics that include nuclear non-proliferation, G20, economic interests, Libya and Afghanistan.
Davutoglu confirmed that Turkey was considering hosting an office in Istanbul for the Taliban, the Herald wrote.
On relations between Turkey and Israel, Davutoglu had cautionary advice for Israel, according to the Herald, which also wrote that the Turkish non-governmental organisation that last year organised a controversial flotilla to visit Gaza is planning a second Gaza-bound flotilla in the weeks ahead.
"We can advise, we can say something, but we cannot stop the flotilla," Davutoglu said. "The Turkish government had urged them not to sail last year but in a democratic society, we cannot stop them."
On Libya, Davutoglu said that it was hard to see any early victory for either side, but that Muammar Gaddafi had already lost the most important part of the war.
In an interview with Australian daily The Sydney Morning Herald, Davutoglu said the relationship that developed between the two former enemies "is a very great example in world history."
"Gallipoli is important for both the nations' nation-building processes," he said.
Davutoglu said the defeat became a symbol of sacrifice and courage for the young Australia, and the victory was the proving ground for the commander who went on to found modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.
"Out of Gallipoli, we did not create a legacy of hatred and revenge," Davutoglu told the Herald. "We created a legacy of friendship and mutual respect. And based on this psychological and historical background, there's huge potential and compatibility."
Describing Turkey, a member of NATO, as a rising power in Eurasia and a model for the aspiring democracies of the Arab world, Davutoglu said he regarded Australia as a "strategic partner".
He said that he had frequent discussions with his Australian counterpart, Kevin Rudd, on several emerging agenda topics that include nuclear non-proliferation, G20, economic interests, Libya and Afghanistan.
Davutoglu confirmed that Turkey was considering hosting an office in Istanbul for the Taliban, the Herald wrote.
On relations between Turkey and Israel, Davutoglu had cautionary advice for Israel, according to the Herald, which also wrote that the Turkish non-governmental organisation that last year organised a controversial flotilla to visit Gaza is planning a second Gaza-bound flotilla in the weeks ahead.
"We can advise, we can say something, but we cannot stop the flotilla," Davutoglu said. "The Turkish government had urged them not to sail last year but in a democratic society, we cannot stop them."
On Libya, Davutoglu said that it was hard to see any early victory for either side, but that Muammar Gaddafi had already lost the most important part of the war.
