Dear Turkish Citizens, Members of the Turkish Community in Australia and the Australian Friends of Türkiye,

It is with great pride, excitement, and honour that I assume my duties as the Consul General of the Republic of Türkiye in Sydney as of October 1, 2026.

Together with all my colleagues, including our Attaché offices, we remain dedicated to providing the highest standard of consular services across our area of responsibility— New South Wales, Queensland, the Australian Capital Territory, and the Northern Territory—while safeguarding the rights and interests of our citizens.

The Turkish Consulate General in Sydney, which has been in operation since 1969, stands as a concrete testament to the strong, historical and deep human ties between Australia and Türkiye. In this regard, the Turkish community in Australia serves as a vital bridge of friendship between our two nations.

It is a true source of pride to witness the achievements of the Turkish Community in Australia over the years and the efforts to preserve and promote our culture and values. In the period ahead, as the Consulate General, we will continue to stand by your side on every occasion.

As I begin my tenure, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my predecessor, Consul General Belgin Ergüneş, and all former Consuls General for their valuable service.

On this occasion, I also respectfully commemorate our Consul General, Mr. Şarık Arıyak, and Security Attaché, Mr. Engin Sever, who were martyred in a terrorist attack in Sydney on December 17, 1980.

On behalf of all my colleagues, I present my warmest respects and best wishes to you and your families.

Emre Özkan

Consul General