Poland–Turkey relations

Polish-Turkish relations have been historically close yet complex. Historically, the predecessor state of Poland being of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth had a direct border with the Ottoman Empire, both states had a tumultuous history being in open and consistent warfare between one another for centuries, particularly in the southeastern borderlands of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth around Moldavia, modern-day Ukraine, Romania and Crimea. Warfare between both states began in 1443 with the Crusade of Varna, the Polish–Ottoman War (1485–1503), the Moldavian Magnate Wars, the Polish-Ottoman War (1620-1621), the Polish–Ottoman War (1633–34), the Polish–Ottoman War (1672–1676) and the Polish–Ottoman War (1683–1699), which resulted in sections of Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth falling under the direct administration of the Ottoman Empire under the Podolia Eyalet or Silistra Eyalet for some time.

Official diplomatic relations were established between the Ottoman Empire and the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth in the 15th century.[1] In 2013, Poland and Turkey celebrated the establishment of 600 years of diplomatic relations.[2]

Following the Partitions of Poland, the Ottoman Empire and Qajar Iran were the only major countries in the world that did not recognise the final partition of Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth.[1] An anecdote exists recounting the exchange between the chef de protocol of and his aide of Ottoman Empire which is widely recounted today in Poland. According to the tale, whenever the diplomatic corps was received by the Ottoman sultan, on the sight of the empty chair of the Polish deputy, the Ottoman chef de protocol would ostentatiously ask: “Where is the deputy from Lehistan?”. At each occasion he would receive the same reply from his aide: ‘Your Excellency, the deputy of Lehistan could not make it because of vital impediments’ to the annoyance of the diplomats from the partitioning states. The first written record of this story comes from the Polish ambassador to Turkey in the years 1936 – 45, Michał Sokolnicki (1880 – 1967). He heard it from a Turkish officer and statesman, Ali Fuat Cebesoy (1880 – 1968), who was acquainted with the Istanbul Polish community. Cebesoy claimed that this symbolic exchange continued until the end of sultanate and he witnessed it in person as a young officer during the reign of Sultan Abdülhamid II (r. 1876 – 1909) [3]

In the 19th century, many Polish veterans of the November Uprising, January Uprising and Crimean War arrived in Turkey. Polish officers, such as Michał Czajkowski, served in the Ottoman Army. Polish General Marian Langiewicz spent the last years of his life in Turkey, fought in the Ottoman Army and died in Istanbul, where he is buried at the Haydarpaşa Cemetery. Polish national poet Adam Mickiewicz spent the last months of his life in Istanbul and died there. The house where he lived was later transformed into the Adam Mickiewicz Museum.

A Polish village of Polonezköy (Adampol) in Turkey exists. It lies on the Anatolian side of Istanbul and was settled in 1842 by Polish veterans of the November Uprising. In the 19th and 20th centuries, further Polish settlers arrived. As of 2009, there is still a Polish minority in the village.[1]

Turkish mosaic depicting Warsaw and Istanbul can be found at the Politechnika metro station. It was installed in 2015, to commemorate 600 years of Poland–Turkey relations.

Although Turkey and Poland enjoy cordial relations, in recent times the relationship between the two sometimes goes tense. Poland was one of the main countries that condemned Turkish invasion of Cyprus and has affirmed its stance for a united Cyprus. Moreover, in 2005, Poland had officially recognized the Armenian genocide, which resulted in Turkey withdrawing its ambassador for a month resulting in a diplomatic tensions.

Poland has expressed views that Russia is a threat to its national sovereignty and has been very critical of Russian meddling in foreign affairs in the Middle East and the former states of the Soviet Union. Thus, Poland has condemned Turkey's attempt of trying to get closer to Russia, such as buying S-400 missile system as well as Turkey's deteriorating democracy. Nevertheless, Poland is one of the strongest supporters of Turkey's accession to the European Union.

Famous Turks with partial Polish ancestry include the poet and playwright Nâzım Hikmet, Ahmet Rüstem Bey, Fatoş Sezer, Hurrem Sultan and the soprano opera singer Leyla Gencer.[4]

Embassy of Turkey in Warsaw

• Poland has an embassy in Ankara and a consulate-general in Istanbul.
• Turkey has an embassy in Warsaw.

• EU–Turkey relations
• Turks in Poland
• Turks in Europe

• Polish embassy in Ankara
• Turkish embassy in Warsaw
• Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Poland
• Polish–Turkish Relations: A Social–Political Analysis (MA thesis, Vienna University, written by Antonina Tausch)