Poland–Turkey relations
Polish–Turkish relations are foreign relations between Poland and Turkey. Both countries are full members of NATO and the Union for the Mediterranean.
Poland |
Turkey |
---|---|
Diplomatic mission | |
Embassy of Poland, Ankara | Embassy of Turkey, Warsaw |
Polish-Turkish relations were historically strong, the official relations were established in the 15th century.[1] The Ottoman Empire, along with Persia, was the only major country in the world which did not recognize the Partitions of Poland.[1] In the 19th century many Polish veterans of the November Uprising, January Uprising and Crimean War arrived in Turkey. Many Polish officers, like 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.
There is also the Polish village of Polonezköy (Adampol) in Turkey. 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]
Famous Turks with partial Polish ancestry include the poet and playwright Nâzım Hikmet, and the soprano opera singer Leyla Gencer.
Recent relations
Although Turkey and Poland enjoy good relations, since the latter of 20th century, 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, forcing Turkey to withdraw its ambassador for a month and made their relationship a bit sour.
In recent years, due to Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's authoritarian reign and his growing tie with Russia, relations have deteriorated. Poland has viewed Russia as a threat on national sovereignty and has been very critical of Russian meddling in foreign affairs.
Resident diplomatic missions
- Poland has an embassy in Ankara and a consulate-general in Istanbul.
- Turkey has an embassy in Warsaw.
See also
References
- "Edukacja Międzykulturowa: Turcy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-07-03. (48.9 KB)
External links
- 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)