Today I announce the appointment of Ms Sally-Anne Vincent PSM as Australia's next Ambassador to Türkiye. The Ambassador to Türkiye is also accredited to Azerbaijan and Georgia.
Australia and Türkiye share deep cultural links, with almost 90,000 Australians claiming Turkish ancestry.
We have a longstanding bilateral relationship based on our shared history and reinforced by our annual Anzac Day commemorations and cooperation including through international forums such as MIKTA, the OECD and the G20.
Our commercial ties continue to grow, with two-way goods and services trade worth $2.2 billion in 2023. We look forward to expanding our economic engagement, including in mining, education and agri-business.
The commencement of flights between Istanbul and several Australian cities has the potential to unlock further trade and investment opportunities and bring our communities closer together.
Australia also has constructive bilateral relationships with both Azerbaijan and Georgia and continues to monitor developments in the South Caucasus region closely.
Ms Vincent is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and was most recently Chief of Staff to the Secretary.
She has previously served overseas as Deputy High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, Deputy High Commissioner to Bangladesh, in Afghanistan and as part of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands.
I thank outgoing Ambassador Mr Miles Armitage for his contributions to advancing Australia's interests in Türkiye since 2021.
