Turkey-Poland relations after the Cold War

The relations between Türkiye and Poland are rooted in history, and the interaction between the two countries has been characterized by long-standing peace and mutual understanding rather than conflicts. Diplomatic relations that began during the Ottoman Empire were formalized in 1414 with the acceptance of Polish envoys by the Ottoman Court. The relations between the two countries were further strengthened by the Treaty of Friendship signed in 1923 and by the fact that the Republic of Türkiye was the first European state to recognize Poland. Although there was a stagnation in relations during the Cold War period, due to Türkiye's membership in NATO and Poland's membership in the Warsaw Pact, relations gained momentum again following Poland's democratization process in 1989 and the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Türkiye's support during Poland's accession processes to NATO and the European Union further strengthened the ties between the two countries. Moreover, the increase in high-level visits since the 2000s and the signing of the strategic partnership declaration indicate that Türkiye-Poland relations have acquired a strategic dimension.