Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has welcomed Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to Ankara for a significant meeting aimed at enhancing bilateral relations between Türkiye and Canada. This visit marks Carney’s first bilateral trip to Türkiye, highlighting both countries’ intentions to deepen cooperation across several strategic sectors.
During the two-day visit, Erdoğan and Carney are expected to sign agreements that will establish a strategic partnership focusing on energy, nuclear power, sustainable mining, defense, aerospace, and advanced technologies. These agreements are set to expand collaboration and strengthen diplomatic ties, reflecting a mutual commitment to boosting economic and industrial cooperation.
Key discussions will also center around negotiations for a potential free trade agreement, building on earlier commitments made during a NATO summit. An important development in defense and security cooperation is Türkiye’s decision to join Canada’s Defence, Security and Resilience Bank as a founding member, indicating a growing partnership in these crucial areas.
Economic relations between the two nations have seen notable growth, with bilateral trade increasing by nearly 50% over the past five years. Both governments are keen to explore further opportunities to expand commercial relations, especially in the fields of energy, critical minerals, aerospace, and advanced technology. Türkiye’s plans for its second and third nuclear power plants present Canadian companies with potential opportunities to participate in nuclear energy projects and related infrastructure development.
The trade dynamics between the two countries are diverse, with Canada exporting lentils, aerospace equipment, optical instruments, and electronics to Türkiye, while Türkiye exports iron and steel, machinery, fresh and dried fruits to Canada. Carney’s visit is part of Canada’s broader strategy to diversify its international trade partnerships, reducing reliance on the United States. For Türkiye, closer engagement with Canada offers prospects for attracting investment, expanding exports, and bolstering industrial cooperation.
This diplomatic engagement signifies a pivotal step towards closer relations between Türkiye and Canada, with both nations aiming to convert growing diplomatic interactions into tangible trade and investment opportunities.