The Establishment of The First Permanent Embassy of Poland in Turkey: Historical Dynamics

Abstract

This article explores the process of establishment of the first permanent Polish embassy in Tur- key. Contrary to the common belief in Turkey, the permanent embassy of Poland was not estab- lished during the time of the Ottoman Empire, but in 1924 just after the foundation of Republic of Turkey. This study addresses why 1475 is the incorrect date for the establishment of the first permanent embassy of Poland as shown in the literature and examines some unsuccessful at- tempts of Poland to establish a permanent embassy in the Ottoman Empire over the centuries. Poland endeavored to establish a permanent embassy in Istanbul on numerous occasions in the 18th century, however the Ottoman Porte did not allow it. Poland lost its independence in 1795 and was reconstituted in 1918. It was only after the foundation of the Republic of Turkey that a permanent Polish embassy could be established in 1924.

Keywords

Poland, Ottoman Empire, Republic of Turkey, Permanent Embassy, Diplomacy.

Citation

Topaktaş, Hacer, “The Establishment of The First Permanent Embassy of Poland in Turkey: Historical Dynamics”, International Relations, Volume 11, Issue 43 (Fall 2014), pp.105-125.

Affiliations

• Hacer TOPAKTAŞ, Assist. Prof. Dr., Istanbul University, Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures