Carney, Erdogan partner on energy and defence, plan trade talks

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Turkish President Recep Tayipp Erdogan plan to increase cooperation between their two countries with a focus on energy and defence, while negotiators will begin trade talks next month.

Carney arrived in Ankara on Thursday, marking the first official visit by a Canadian prime minister to Turkey as his government continues to diversify trade away from the United States.

“President Erdogan and I are launching the Canada-Turkey strategic partnership, backed by a three-year action plan,” Carney said, according to prepared remarks during a joint statement with Erdogan.

“It rests on four pillars: trade and investment, defence and security, energy and the ties between our peoples.”

Carney said the growing Turkish economy needs a secure energy supply, and Canada can help with natural gas, civilian nuclear technology and critical minerals.

The trade talks set to take place next month in Ankara follow through on a commitment made this summer by the two leaders to work toward a free trade agreement.

Carney’s trip comes after years of strained relations, including Canada’s 2021 decision to cancel export permits for drone technology to Turkey after determining it had been used by Azerbaijan in its conflict with Armenia.

But unlike his predecessor, Carney has argued Canada can deepen ties with countries it does not fully align with by focusing on shared interests, a “values-based realism” approach aimed at broadening trade and defense partnerships beyond the U.S.

Carney said Export Development Canada and its Turkish counterpart, Turk Eximbank, are on track to sign a new agreement to help Canadian and Turkish businesses collaborate on projects in third countries, including in energy and infrastructure.

The two leaders also reached a defence agreement for Canadian and Turkish companies to work together. Passenger flights between the two countries will be allowed to increase from 12 to 21 per week, with no limit on cargo flights.

Carney is set to meet with business leaders in Istanbul on Friday, and said Canada will lead a trade mission to Turkey next year.