Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan unveiled a new strategic partnership between Canada and Turkiye on Thursday, backed by a three-year action plan. In a joint statement, the two leaders said such a relationship is essential amid a more complicated global security environment, geopolitical uncertainty and growing humanitarian pressures.
The announcement came during Carney’s two-day trip to Turkiye. Canada is seeking new partnerships as it looks to lessen its reliance on the United States.
Four pillars shape the three-year Canada-Turkiye plan
According to the statement, the action plan rests on four areas:
Also read: Pakistan and US discuss advancing bilateral trade agreement
- Trade and investment
- Defence and security
- Energy
- Ties between people
On trade, investment and innovation, the leaders agreed to work toward concluding a Canada-Turkiye Free Trade Agreement. They also pledged to expand bilateral trade and investment in energy supply, defence production, aerospace and artificial intelligence.
On defence and security, the leaders said they intended to deepen cooperation at both bilateral and multilateral levels. They also agreed to cooperate on peace and security in the Euro-Atlantic region and beyond, naming Ukraine, the South Caucasus and the Middle East, with particular attention to Gaza. Energy ministers from both countries will separately work on liquefied natural gas, nuclear energy and critical minerals.
Erdogan sets trade targets and a free trade timeline
Speaking to reporters in Ankara alongside Carney, Erdogan said the two countries hope to lift their trade volume, currently around $3 billion, to $5 billion at first and later to $10 billion. He said the sides had agreed to begin free trade negotiations before the end of the year.
Erdogan added that raising relations to the level of a strategic partnership would not be a symbolic step on paper alone. He said the two countries had moved past a disconnect that had lasted for many years, describing the moment as the start of a new era.
The joint statement said Canadian and Turkish leaders will meet next month in Ankara for the first round of trade talks.
Carney’s visit comes amid strained trade ties with Washington
This is the first bilateral visit to Turkiye by a Canadian prime minister, although Carney had travelled to Ankara in July to attend the NATO summit. During the current trip, he was scheduled to meet Erdogan and other officials, then travel to Istanbul for talks with Turkish business groups focused on deepening trade ties.
The Canadian leader has sought to diversify his country’s partnerships and reduce reliance on the US. That effort has taken place against an escalating trade war with President Donald Trump, which has included US tariffs on Canadian goods, retaliatory measures by Canada and statements questioning Canadian sovereignty.
