Poland's Ambassador to Ankara Maciej Lang stressed enhancing ties between the countries following the visit of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, adding that Poland has always been supportive of Turkey's accession to the EU.

Speaking at a ceremony held by the Polish Embassy in Ankara on Nov. 16 for Poland's Independence Day, the Polish envoy said, "Poland supports Turkey's EU accession and is ready to provide every kind of support."

Ambassador Lang stressed that President Erdoğan's recent visit to Poland on Oct. 17 further enhanced the ties between the countries. Lang said they welcome the fact that Poland is very popular for Turkish students in the Erasmus Exchange Program, which greatly contributes to the person-to-person relations between Poland and Turkey with over 3,000 Turkish students visiting the country every year.

National Defense Deputy Minister Şuay Alpay attended the ceremony and congratulated Poland on its Independence Day. "The 19th century was a long one for both the Turkish and Polish people who resolutely fought for their independence. For this reason it can be said that Poland and Turkey had similar fates, as Poland struggled from 1795 to 1918 and Turkey from 1774 to 1923," Alpay said and added that Turkey never recognized the occupation of Poland. He stressed that following the foundation of the Turkish republic in 1923, Poland was one of the first countries to sign a treaty of friendship with Turkey.

As Poland continues to support Turkey's EU bid and Turkey supported Poland's inclusion in NATO in 1999, Alpay said relations have only gotten stronger. Alpay highlighted that President Erdoğan's visit to Poland in October was the most recent sign of the friendly relations between the countries.