GELIBOLU - ANZACs (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) commemorated their ancestors who fell at the Battle of Canakkale 92 years ago, with a "Dawn Ceremony" held in Gelibolu peninsula of Canakkale.
Delivering a speech at the ceremony, New Zealander Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters stated that Gelibolu which is home of the cemeteries of many New Zealanders who died at the battle, has become a sacred place for the people of New Zealand.
Stressing that the courage of their soldiers was carved in their history books, archives and national soul, Peters said, the battles in Gelibolu constituted an important turning point for New Zealand, which paved the way for the formation of a nation, as well as the creation of a unique national identity.
Peters also indicated that the "ANZAC camaraderie" between New Zealander and Australian soldiers started during this battle and it was still the basis of the current relations between the two countries.
Peters indicated that "the soul of compromise" and "the sorrow for losses" felt during the battle, turned into a wide and constructive relationship between Turkey and New Zealand as well.
Meanwhile, Australian Minister for Defense Brendan Nelson stated that ANZACs gave Australian people an identity and a place in the world with not only the things they had done in the region 92 years ago, but also with the way they had done it.
Nearly 10,000 Australians and New Zealanders participated in the "Dawn Ceremony", where hymns were chanted and prayers were delivered for the deceased.
Many Turkish and foreign correspondents covered the ceremony.