Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to embark on a three-day trip to Turkey, a key NATO ally that has caught the attention of Ottawa due to its growing economic and defense sectors. This visit will involve discussions with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara and engagements with business leaders in Istanbul, marking the first exclusive bilateral visit by a Canadian prime minister to Turkey.
The meetings signify a positive turn in relations between the two nations following Canada’s previous arms embargo on Turkey. The embargo was initiated in 2021 when allegations surfaced that Ankara had redirected Canadian-manufactured drone parts to Azerbaijani forces during the conflict with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh. Subsequently, the policy has been relaxed.
This visit follows a recent crackdown by Turkish authorities on dissent and civil society, particularly targeting LGBTQ+ and HIV advocacy groups. Senior federal officials, speaking anonymously ahead of the trip, emphasized that the visit aligns with Canada’s values-based realism in foreign policy, combining principles of freedom, human rights, sustainability, and solidarity with a pragmatic approach recognizing differing values among partners.
During the visit, key agenda items for discussion include negotiations for a free trade agreement, expanding collaboration in energy and strategic industries, and enhancing defense-industrial ties. Canada currently engages in approximately $4.3 billion in trade with Turkey, and the launch of free trade negotiations was officially announced during the NATO summit in July.
Prime Minister Carney aims to strengthen the strategic partnership with Turkey as part of Canada’s efforts to diversify international economic ties and reduce reliance on the United States. Accompanying him on the trip are Foreign Minister Anita Anand and Energy Minister Tim Hodgson.
Turkey’s focus on expanding its nuclear-energy sector presents an opportunity for Canada’s Candu nuclear reactor technology. The potential for collaboration involving Candu reactors was explicitly recognized by Canadian and Turkish trade ministers in June. This partnership holds significance due to the long-term commitments involved in nuclear projects.
Discussions during the visit may also advance cooperation in the defense industry. Secretary of State for Defence Procurement Stephen Fuhr previously highlighted ammunition production, drones, and counter-drone systems as potential areas for collaboration with Turkey. The ongoing dialogue between the two countries ensures that Canadian export-control measures are upheld, evaluating the risk associated with military exports to prevent violations of international humanitarian law.
In conclusion, the visit to Turkey underscores Canada’s commitment to fostering mutually beneficial relationships with key partners and exploring opportunities for economic and strategic collaboration.