Key facts
- Canada and Turkey to sign joint declaration deepening cooperation in defense, energy, economy, social, and diplomatic ties.
- Visit aims to reduce Canada's trade dependence on the United States.
- Discussions to include potential Turkish purchases of Canadian liquefied natural gas and critical minerals.
- Focus on drones and naval cooperation in defense sector.
- Canada removed weapons-export controls on Turkey in 2024.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to sign a joint declaration with Turkey to deepen bilateral cooperation in defense, energy, economy, social, and diplomatic ties during his visit later this week. The move is part of Carney's strategy to reduce Canada's trade dependence on the United States and strengthen partnerships with regional powers amid strained relations with President Donald Trump. Carney will meet with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on Thursday and Turkish business leaders in Istanbul on Friday. Discussions are anticipated to cover potential Turkish purchases of Canadian liquefied natural gas and critical minerals, as well as defense cooperation focusing on drones and naval systems. Canada had previously removed weapons-export controls on Turkey in 2024. Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar indicated that nuclear power would be a key agenda item, with a working group potentially to study Canada's CANDU bid for a planned nuclear plant.