Canada and Turkey launch strategic partnership on trade and defence

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 18:20 · Archive

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have announced a strategic partnership between their countries.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Turkey on Thursday for a two-day visit, during which he met with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the presidential palace in Ankara. The two leaders announced an upgrade of their relationship to a "strategic partnership" backed by a three-year action plan resting on four pillars: trade and investment; defence and security; energy; and ties between people.

On trade, the leaders agreed to work toward the successful conclusion of a Canada-Turkiye Free Trade Agreement, with Erdogan stating that negotiations will begin before the end of 2026. They also committed to expanding bilateral trade and investments in priority sectors including energy supply, defence production, aerospace, and artificial intelligence. Erdogan said the two countries hope to increase their trade volume from its current $3bn to $5bn initially and then to $10bn, and that they will approximately double direct flights between the nations.

On defence and security, Canada and Turkey agreed to deepen bilateral and multilateral cooperation and to strengthen cooperation in support of peace and security in the Euro-Atlantic region and beyond, including Ukraine, the South Caucasus and the Middle East. Carney said the partnership would "create new opportunities for our workers and businesses, and greater security and prosperity for both of our peoples". Carney's visit comes as Canada seeks to broaden its trade relationships with countries beyond the United States, which currently receives nearly 70 per cent of Canadian exports.

How it is being reported

• Canada's Mark Carney visits Turkey to boost trade tiesIt's the first bilateral visit by a Canadian prime minister to Turkey. Canada and Turkey upgraded their relations to a "strategic partnership" as Canada seeks to diversify trade beyond the US.DW News · 22 Oct, 18:07
• Carney and Erdogan launch ‘strong and resilient’ Canada-Turkiye partnershipOn trade, investment and innovation, leaders will work toward conclusion of a Canada-Turkiye Free Trade Agreement.Al Jazeera · 22 Oct, 16:00

In this story: Mark Carney · Recep Tayyip Erdogan · Canada · Turkey · United States · Ukraine

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