Polish-Turkish relations in the 19th and 20th centuries: The struggle for independence and modernization

2014 marked the 600th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Poland and Turkey. The related celebration has been perceived as a way to broaden bilateral relations between the two nations, as collaboration has not fully achieved its economic potential. The past 200 years of Polish-Turkish relations depicted in this article stand as a remarkable example of cooperation between two different cultures and traditions. Recent Polish-Turkish relations as seen in a broader European context represent the emergence of a “new beginning” of opportunity for both nations. Poland has a chance to become an intermediary nation between the EU and Turkey and to be involved in the creation of a new type of relationship between Turkey and the EU.