Canada and Turkey strengthen cooperation in defence, transport and energy

O Canada and Turkey agreed to strengthen cooperation in the fields of defence, transport and energy by signing bilateral agreements and to open negotiations for a free trade agreement before the end of the year.

In the framework of the visit of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to Ankara, the first of a Canadian head of government to Turkey, the two countries signed an action plan for three years, with which they intend to “start a new era,” said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The Turkish Head of State pointed out as an objective to increase the bilateral trade volume of the current 3,000 million dollars (almost 2,700 million euros) to 5,000 million dollars (over 4,400 million euros) in the coming years.

The two parties also agreed to open negotiations for a free trade agreement in November.

Within the framework of bilateral agreements, direct air links between the two countries are expected to be doubled, while in the area of defence a strengthening of industrial cooperation will be sought.

“ The allies should be able to count on each other as regards the equipment and capabilities that guarantee our safety,” said Carney, quoted by Hürriyet.

“ Our goal is not self-sufficiency, but collective resilience. That is why Canada is establishing closer partnerships with reliable partners, creating new opportunities for both parties and Turkey is an exceptional partner,” Carney added, whose country is in full trade war with the United States.

The head of the Canadian Government is meeting today in Istanbul with Turkish entrepreneurs from strategic sectors such as energy, aerospace and critical minerals. Canada and Turkey have also identified potential for cooperation in the field of nuclear energy.

The two leaders had already met in July during the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit in Ankara, but this was the first official visit of a Canadian head of government to Turkey.

The two countries also announced a partnership agreement in the defence industry.

“ In a more dangerous and divided world, the allies must be able to count on each other to dispose of the equipment and capabilities that protect us. In this area too, our strengths are complementary,” Mark Carney said.

The former president of the central bank of Canada made the reduction of dependence on the United States and the diversification of the country's partnerships two of the pillars of his mandate, which began in March 2025.

Carney has multiplied travel abroad, resuming relations with some states – such as Saudi Arabia, India and China – with which relations had deteriorated or even been interrupted during the mandate of former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

The head of the Canadian Government also approached Europe. In September, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed that Canada become the first “associated member” of the European Union.