"The relationship between Australia and Turkey because of MIKTA is a door into closer and better relations on a whole range of issues," Australian ambassador to Ankara James Larsen said on Thursday evening in Ankara.

Speaking at a reception hosted by the Australian Embassy to mark Australia's year as MIKTA chair, Larsen said that MIKTA is a great field of cooperation in combating global crises and developing closer ties.

MIKTA is an informal cooperative body created by Mexico, Indonesia, the Republic of Korea, Turkey and Australia in September 2013 to enhance coordination on global issues of common interest. Australia assumed the MIKTA chair on Sept. 26, 2015, when Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop chaired the 6th MIKTA Foreign Ministers' Meeting in New York. As the chair, Australia has been focused on implementing an ambitious agenda that was agreed on by foreign ministers at the meeting in New York.

Explaining Australia's priorities as MIKTA chair, Larsen said that Australia is looking to collaborate and cooperate across a range of multinational issues. He also said that they will continue to work on MIKTA's seven core themes of modernization of energy governance and improving energy access; counterterrorism and global security; peacekeeping; trade and economy; good governance and democracy, gender equality and sustainable development.

During its remaining years as MIKTA chair, Australia is planning to host the 7th MIKTA Ministers' Meeting, a MIKTA ministerial retreat in Sydney, Australia and the second MIKTA Academic Conference hosted by the Australian National University with the theme of "Unlocking Innovation."