Syrian refugees wait to enter Turkey after fleeing violence in Syria on the Syrian-Turkish border in Shamm Alqrain village, northern countryside of Aleppo January 13, 2014.
Syrian refugees wait to enter Turkey after fleeing violence in Syria on the Syrian-Turkish border in Shamm Alqrain village, northern countryside of Aleppo January 13, 2014. Picture taken January 13, 2014. Reuters/Mahmoud Hebbo

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott met Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on April 23 for talks about dealing with terrorist financing and reducing threats from foreign fighters. Mr Abbott travelled to Turkey ahead of the Anzac Day commemoration and expressed his interest in working with the Turkish government.

The Australian prime minister believes the increased cooperation between Australia and Turkey would hopefully reduce the number of foreign fighters who want to enter Iraq and Syria. He once again urged Australians to rethink plans to join fighters in the Middle East.

“Don’t go. If you go, you will come to no good. You will do no good and you will come to no good. That is the very clear message that I can give to any Australian who is thinking of joining any terrorist group in the Middle East,” warned Mr Abbott. He said Australians wanting to travel through Turkey to join ISIS will “find it much, much more difficult.”

He added that Australia is taking a strong stand against terrorism. In a joint statement, Mr Abbott and Mr Davutoglu have outlined the issues involved with watching the borders of Turkey, which are being used as entry points of foreign fighters. Mr Abbott told reporters that the 900 km border between Syria and Turkey is not “easy to police.”

According to the statement, both parties highlighted the importance of identifying and stopping foreign fighters from travelling to conflict areas at their home country. Australia and Turkey agreed to use all avenues to fight the “scourge of terrorism,” including the sharing of information.

Mr Davutoglu revealed that about 35 million tourists visit Turkey every year, reports SBS. The agreement between Australia and Turkey came less than a week after the counter-terrorism raids in Melbourne, which resulted in the arrest of three teenagers suspected of having links to ISIS.

When asked what Turkey will do to stop Australian fighters from crossing the border, Mr Abbott said the matter was up to the Turkish government. More than 100 Australians are believed to be fighting alongside ISIS, reports The Guardian. Mr Abbott added that negotiations will begin on an agreement for the return of Australian citizens who attempt to cross the Turkish border to join ISIS.

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