In a significant diplomatic move, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has welcomed Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to Ankara, marking Carney’s first official visit to Türkiye. The two-day meeting aims to bolster diplomatic ties, expand trade, and enhance cooperation between the two nations across several vital sectors.
The leaders are poised to sign agreements that will lay the groundwork for a strategic partnership, with a focus on energy, nuclear power, sustainable mining, defense, aerospace, and advanced technologies. These discussions also encompass negotiations for a potential free trade agreement, building on commitments made during the NATO summit. Notably, Türkiye has agreed to become a founding member of Canada’s Defence, Security and Resilience Bank, illustrating the growing defense and security cooperation between the countries.
Over the past five years, economic relations between Türkiye and Canada have strengthened, with bilateral trade surging by nearly 50%. Both governments are keen to further capitalize on this momentum, particularly in sectors like energy, critical minerals, aerospace, and advanced technology. Türkiye’s plans to develop its second and third nuclear power plants present potential opportunities for Canadian companies to engage in nuclear energy and infrastructure projects.
Trade between the two nations is diverse, with Canada exporting products such as lentils, aerospace equipment, optical instruments, and electronics to Türkiye. Conversely, Turkish exports to Canada include iron and steel, machinery, fresh and dried fruits.
Prime Minister Carney’s visit is part of Canada’s broader strategy to diversify its international trade partnerships, aiming to reduce economic dependence on the United States. For Türkiye, engaging more closely with Canada could attract investment, boost exports, and strengthen industrial collaboration.
This visit represents a crucial step towards deepening Türkiye-Canada relations, as both countries look to transform their diplomatic engagements into tangible trade and investment opportunities.