The Historical and Modern Relations between Turkey and Poland
Relations between Turkey and Poland have a rich history of mutual support and cooperation, rooted in both historical and modern contexts. This article explores the origins and current state of these relations, highlighting key areas of collaboration and mutual understanding.
Historical Background
Dating back to the 19th century, Turkey and Poland maintained a warm and cordial relationship, often supporting each other through difficult times. Despite the dissolution of Poland in the partitions of the late 18th century, Turkey was one of the few nations that did not recognize the partitions and continued to welcome Polish diplomats. This shows the deep-rooted respect and goodwill between these nations.
Poland is often referred to as Lehistan in Turkey, which means 'Lion's state' due to its historical bravery and steadfastness. One notable figure from this era is King Jan III Sobieski, who led Polish forces to a decisive victory over the Ottoman Empire during the famous Battle of Vienna in 1683.
Modern Relations
Both Turkey and Poland are full members of NATO, the Council of Europe, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the Union for the Mediterranean, and the World Trade Organization. This shared membership underscores their commitment to international cooperation and mutual support.
Culturally, the two countries share many similarities, particularly in their historical and culinary traditions. These shared affinities contribute to the warm and cordial diplomatic relations between them.
Trade and Bilateral Cooperation
In the modern era, Turkey and Poland engage in substantial economic cooperation, driven by mutual trade and diplomatic support.
According to the Turkish Foreign Ministry, the bilateral trade between Turkey and Poland amounted to 6.45 billion dollars in 2018. This figure likely has increased since then, reflecting the growing economic interdependence of the two nations. Poland is also a significant market for Turkish defense exports, including drones and military equipment.
Poland has provided diplomatic support for Turkey’s aspirations to join the European Union, positioning itself as a key ally within the EU framework. Additionally, Poland was among the countries that stood with Turkey during the diplomatic tension with Azerbaijan during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War.
Despite occasional tensions, the Polish government has generally engaged in less anti-Turkish propaganda than other European Union members, contributing to the stability and friendliness of their bilateral relations.
500 Years of Diplomatic Relations
A significant milestone in Turkish-Polish relations was the 500-year anniversary of their diplomatic relations, commemorated a few years ago. Over the course of 500 years, the two countries fought against each other for approximately 25 years, with the remaining 95 years seeing a much more harmonious period of mutual cooperation and understanding.
These ongoing diplomatic and economic ties not only reflect historical alliances but also underscore the shared values and interests that bind Turkey and Poland together in the modern international community.