Türkiye and Poland pledged to deepen cooperation on security, defense and European affairs on Tuesday, as President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan highlighted the two countries' key role in Europe's security architecture and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening ties with the European Union.
Speaking at a joint news conference with Polish President Karol Nawrocki, Erdoğan said the two NATO allies were working to enhance cooperation across a range of areas, describing Türkiye and Poland as indispensable partners in Europe's security and defense architecture.
Erdoğan also thanked Warsaw for its support of Türkiye's European Union accession bid and said it remained determined to advance relations with the bloc on the basis of mutual benefit and respect.
"As two NATO allies that play an indispensable role in Europe's security and defense architecture, we are committed to strengthening our cooperation," Erdoğan said.
He added that it had the will to further develop ties with the European Union while pursuing closer coordination with Poland on regional and strategic issues.
Turning to regional issues, he said: "One of the issues that must never be overshadowed in this context is the path toward lasting peace in Palestine and the Middle East."
On Palestine, Erdoğan said Ankara expects Poland to maintain its support for a two-state solution, noting that Warsaw is among the countries recognizing the state of Palestine.
"We also thoroughly discussed the latest developments in the Russia-Ukraine war and Iran-related issues during our meeting. We underlined the urgent need for peace in both areas," he added.
Nawrocki, for his part, said cooperation between Türkiye and Poland carries strategic importance and that bilateral ties continue to expand across various fields, including the defense industry.
Nawrocki added that he discussed a range of issues with the Turkish president, particularly the Russia-Ukraine war, stressing that Poland and Türkiye play vital roles within NATO.
Polish president said trade between Poland and Türkiye has continued to grow despite the Ukraine war. He emphasized that both countries are responsible for defending the alliance's flanks and described bilateral cooperation as strategically important, thanking Erdoğan for Türkiye's support and adding that their ties help strengthen NATO.
He also highlighted defense cooperation as a key area, noting discussions on expanding collaboration between the two countries' defense industries under a bilateral agreement signed last year.
Nawrocki said Polish soldiers use Bayraktar TB2 drones purchased from Türkiye and stressed Poland's commitment to maintaining and extending its military presence at Incirlik Air Base.
Emphasizing the centuries-old friendship between Poland and Türkiye, the Polish leader said he will attend the upcoming NATO summit and congratulated Türkiye on hosting the alliance's meeting in Ankara, expressing confidence that it would be productive.
Erdoğan welcomed Nawrocki with an official ceremony in Ankara.
Cavalry units escorted Nawrocki's official vehicle from the avenue in front of the presidential complex to the protocol gate.
Erdoğan received Nawrocki at the main entrance, and as both leaders took their places at the ceremony area, a military band played the national anthems of Türkiye and Poland.
Following the ceremony, Erdoğan and Nawrocki moved on to a bilateral meeting. Erdoğan will also host an official dinner in honor of Nawrocki.
Also attending the ceremony were Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, National Defense Minister Yaşar Güler, Communications Director Burhanettin Duran, Chief of Staff Hasan Doğan, Presidential Secretary-General Hakkı Susmaz, chief foreign policy and security adviser Akif Çağatay Kılıç, Türkiye's ambassador to Warsaw Rauf Alp Denktaş, and Ankara Governor Yakup Canbolat.
