Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan have announced a new strategic partnership aimed at strengthening economic cooperation, defence, energy, and diplomatic relations between their countries.
The agreement, announced on Thursday during Carney’s official visit to Türkiye, includes a three-year action plan designed to deepen bilateral ties and address emerging global security and economic challenges.
In a joint statement, the two leaders described the partnership as essential for tackling shared threats and creating new opportunities amid growing geopolitical uncertainty and humanitarian challenges.
Countries Target $10 Billion in Trade
A major priority of the partnership is expanding trade and investment between Canada and Türkiye.
President Erdoğan said the two countries would initially seek to increase their bilateral trade volume from approximately $3 billion to $5 billion, with a longer-term target of $10 billion.
He also announced plans to begin negotiations on a Canada-Türkiye Free Trade Agreement before the end of 2026.
The leaders agreed to expand cooperation in key sectors, including energy, defence manufacturing, aerospace, and artificial intelligence.
According to their joint statement, the first round of trade negotiations is scheduled to take place in Ankara next month.
Defence and Security Cooperation
The partnership also seeks to strengthen defence and security cooperation between the two countries, both bilaterally and through international organisations.
Carney and Erdoğan expressed their intention to support peace and stability in the Euro-Atlantic region and other conflict-affected areas, including Ukraine, the South Caucasus, and the Middle East, particularly Gaza.
The agreement reflects their shared interest in strengthening international cooperation amid ongoing security challenges.
Energy Collaboration on the Agenda
Energy is another major component of the new partnership.
The two countries plan to explore opportunities for cooperation in liquefied natural gas, nuclear energy, and critical minerals.
These initiatives are expected to support investment, strengthen energy cooperation, and create opportunities for businesses in both countries.
The action plan also includes measures to strengthen relations between their citizens through closer people-to-people connections.
Carney Seeks to Diversify Canada's International Partnerships
Speaking alongside Erdoğan in Ankara, Carney said Canada was seeking stronger relationships with reliable international partners to improve its economic resilience and create new opportunities.
He stressed that Canada's objective was not complete self-sufficiency but greater collective resilience through international cooperation.
The Canadian prime minister's visit comes as Ottawa seeks to diversify its economic partnerships and reduce its dependence on the United States.
Relations between Canada and the United States have faced tensions over trade tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump, which prompted retaliatory measures from the Canadian government. Trump's remarks questioning Canadian sovereignty have also contributed to tensions between the neighbouring countries.
Carney's visit marks the first bilateral visit to Türkiye by a Canadian prime minister, although he previously travelled to Ankara in July to attend a NATO summit.
Following his meetings with Erdoğan and other Turkish officials, Carney was scheduled to travel to Istanbul for discussions with Turkish business representatives.
Erdoğan Announces a New Chapter in Relations
Erdoğan described the agreement as a turning point in relations between the two countries, saying it marked the beginning of a new era after years of limited engagement.
Carney also expressed confidence that the partnership would strengthen relations between Canada and Türkiye for generations to come.
The three-year action plan is expected to provide a framework for implementing the countries' shared priorities in trade, investment, security, energy, and diplomatic cooperation.
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