Erdogan: Türkiye, Poland aim to deepen ties ahead of NATO summit

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hosted Polish President Karol Nawrocki in Ankara on Tuesday, stating that the two NATO allies are working to deepen cooperation on European security and defense ahead of next month's alliance summit in the Turkish capital.

NATO cooperation

Speaking at a joint press conference, Erdogan emphasized that strengthening NATO's European pillar and reinforcing the alliance's deterrence capabilities represent shared priorities for both nations. He noted that Ankara and Warsaw remain indispensable contributors to the continent's security architecture, with both leaders underscoring their commitment to collective defense ahead of the June gathering.

Trade targets and EU ties

The two leaders also addressed economic cooperation, with Erdogan announcing that Türkiye and Poland have established a new bilateral trade target of $15 billion following the achievement of their previous $10 billion goal. On European Union matters, the Turkish president thanked Poland for its continued support of Ankara's membership bid, stressing that Türkiye remains committed to advancing cooperation with Brussels on the basis of mutual benefit.

Regional issues

Regarding the Palestinian issue, Erdogan said Ankara expects Warsaw to maintain its backing for a two-state solution, noting that Poland is among the countries that have recognized the state of Palestine. Nawrocki confirmed his attendance at the upcoming NATO summit and congratulated Türkiye on hosting the alliance's meeting in Ankara, according to diplomatic sources.