Poland seeks to boost defense industry cooperation with Türkiye

Poland is keen to deepen its cooperation with Türkiye in the defense industry, Polish Ambassador to Türkiye Maciej Przemyslaw Lang said on Saturday.

Poland expresses interest in expanding defense ties with Türkiye

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Lang said he recently visited several Turkish defense companies and was highly impressed by Ankara’s advancements.

“Türkiye’s progress in the defense industry is incredible. I believe the defense industry will provide a solid foundation for enhancing our cooperation in the future,” Lang stated.

He emphasized Türkiye remains an “old friend,” a strong partner, and a reliable ally for Poland, underlining the excellent relations between the two countries across fields such as economy, culture, and security.

Defense industry as a key area for bilateral cooperation

Lang noted that both countries are NATO members and that Polish troops are stationed in Türkiye’s Incirlik base, while Turkish military personnel are present in Poland, showcasing the high level of defense cooperation.

Trade ties are also expanding, with bilateral trade volume currently standing at $12 billion, with the intention to increase it to $15 billion soon.

Highlighting Ankara’s strengths in machinery, automotive, and niche sectors, Lang stressed the importance of developing trade across all industries.

Recalling that Poland currently holds the rotating presidency of the EU Council, Lang emphasized that strengthening Europe’s security is one of their top priorities under the “Security Europe” slogan.

“First and foremost, we continue to face Russian aggression against Ukraine. We also encounter challenges in areas like cybersecurity, food security, and health security. Therefore, security is our primary focus,” Lang said.

He reiterated that enhancing Europe’s defense industry is a priority and praised Türkiye’s achievements in this domain. “I visited several Turkish defense companies and was deeply impressed. Based on what I saw and the feedback from our experts, I believe there is great potential, strong interest, and excellent prospects for future cooperation in the defense sector.”

Poland supports Türkiye’s EU Customs Union update and accession path

Lang also voiced strong support for Türkiye’s efforts to update its Customs Union agreement with the European Union.

“Of course, we support it. From the beginning, Poland has supported Türkiye’s EU accession process. We are very supportive of Türkiye’s European perspectives and very enthusiastic about it,” he said.

People as living bridges between nations

The ambassador announced an upcoming visit to Poland by Turkish journalists and expressed his satisfaction with the growing exchanges between the two countries.

“People are the living bridges between countries,” Lang said. “I am happy to see Turkish journalists visiting Poland and Polish journalists visiting Türkiye. Similarly, I am pleased to see Turkish students studying in Poland and Polish students coming to Türkiye. The more exchanges we have, the stronger and deeper our relations will become.”

He concluded by describing the planned visit as more than just a trip—”a” discovery.”