At a reception marking the anniversary of Poland’s 1791 Constitution, Polish Ambassador to Ankara Maciej Lang delivered a speech in Turkish, offering messages of peace and cooperation in a style reminiscent of Ottoman rhetoric. “Türkiye is not just a neighbor of Europe, but an integral part of its security architecture,” Lang said, reaffirming his country’s strong support for Türkiye’s EU membership aspirations.
The 234th anniversary of the May 3, 1791 Constitution—recognized as Europe’s first and the world’s second written constitution—was celebrated at a reception hosted by the Embassy of Poland in Ankara. Ambassador Maciej Lang and his wife, Joanna Lang, welcomed a large number of guests, including foreign diplomats and Turkish Deputy Minister of Interior Mehmet Aktaş.
Opening the event, which began with the national anthems of both countries, Ambassador Lang highlighted that Europe’s first constitution was not merely a legal document, but also a symbol of freedom, justice, and republican ideals.
“As we commemorate this pivotal milestone in Polish history, we also reflect on our responsibilities in today’s world—marked by conflict, disruption, and uncertainty,” Lang said.
“TÜRKIYE IS AN INSEPARABLE PART OF EUROPE”
Ambassador Lang dedicated a significant portion of his speech to Türkiye–Poland relations. Emphasizing that Türkiye is not only a NATO ally but also a key partner for Europe’s future, he stated: “Poland has always supported Türkiye’s path toward the European Union. We believe that Türkiye is not just a strategic partner, but a future member of the European family.”
Quoting Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, Lang added: “In today’s strategic environment, Türkiye is not merely Europe’s neighbor; it is an inseparable part of Europe’s security architecture.” He stressed that Türkiye plays an indispensable role in areas ranging from regional security and energy to humanitarian assistance and diplomacy.
“OUR SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE IS NOT ONLY POLITICAL, BUT ALSO MORAL AND STRATEGIC”
Lang also addressed Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine, affirming Poland’s unwavering support for Ukraine in this war. “As our President has said, we know from our own history what the struggle for sovereignty means. That is why our support for Ukraine is not only political but also moral and strategic,” he said.
Recalling that Poland currently holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Lang noted that the country’s key goal in this role is to build a more secure, stronger, and citizen-oriented Europe. “For us, the presidency is not a matter of prestige, but one of responsibility,” he said, reiterating Poland’s support for Türkiye’s European aspirations within this context.
“OUR FRIENDSHIP WITH TÜRKIYE WILL CONTINUE TO GROW STRONGER”
Underscoring the growing cooperation between Türkiye and Poland in defense, energy, trade, and culture, Ambassador Lang said: “On this meaningful day, we draw strength from our past and hope from our partnerships for the future. The core principles of the May 3 Constitution—sovereignty, liberty, and solidarity—are more vital today than ever. Let us continue to work together for a free, united, and peaceful Europe.”
GOAL: $15 BILLION IN TRADE VOLUME
Turkish Deputy Minister of Interior Mehmet Aktaş emphasized the deep-rooted, over 600-year-old ties between Türkiye and Poland. He noted that the current trade volume exceeding $10 billion is a source of great satisfaction and added, “Our new target is $15 billion.” Highlighting Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s visit to Ankara in March as an important opportunity, Aktaş said that cooperation in fields ranging from defense industry and R&D to tourism and education has been significantly strengthened.
