Canada and Turkiye Forge 'Strong and Resilient' Strategic Partnership with New Action Plan

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have officially launched a new Canada-Turkiye Strategic Partnership, underpinned by a comprehensive three-year action plan. This initiative aims to bolster cooperation in response to a complex global security landscape, increasing geopolitical uncertainties, and evolving humanitarian challenges. The partnership is designed to provide a robust foundation for mitigating shared threats and capitalizing on emerging opportunities.

Prime Minister Carney's two-day visit to Turkiye is focused on establishing this new alliance, as Canada seeks to diversify its international relationships and reduce its reliance on the United States. The action plan is structured around four key pillars: trade and investment, defence and security, energy, and people-to-people ties.

In the realm of trade, investment, and innovation, both leaders have committed to working towards the successful conclusion of a Canada-Turkiye Free Trade Agreement. They also plan to expand bilateral trade and investment in critical sectors such as energy supply, defence production, aerospace, and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Regarding defence and security, the leaders emphasized their intention to deepen both bilateral and multilateral cooperation. This includes strengthening efforts to support peace and security in the Euro-Atlantic region and beyond, with specific mention of Ukraine, the South Caucasus, and the Middle East, particularly Gaza.

Furthermore, energy ministers from both nations will collaborate on initiatives related to Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), nuclear energy, and critical minerals.

President Erdogan expressed optimism about the partnership, stating that the two countries aim to increase their current trade volume of approximately $3 billion to an initial target of $5 billion, with a long-term goal of reaching $10 billion through strategic steps. He highlighted that the commencement of free trade agreement negotiations before the year's end is a key objective to stimulate trade and investment, emphasizing that elevating the relationship to a strategic partnership signifies a new era for Turkiye-Canada relations.

The first round of trade talks is scheduled to take place in Ankara next month. This visit marks the first bilateral trip by a Canadian prime minister to Turkiye, though Prime Minister Carney previously attended the NATO summit in Ankara in July. He was slated to meet with President Erdogan and other officials before proceeding to Istanbul for discussions with Turkish business groups, underscoring the mutual interest in deepening trade ties. This strategic move by Canada comes amidst an escalating trade dispute with the United States, characterized by tariffs and concerns over Canadian sovereignty.