Visit of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to Türkiye (October 2026)

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Visit to Türkiye is the official visit undertaken by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to Türkiye between 21 and 23 October 2026. This engagement marks the first bilateral official visit by a Canadian prime minister to Türkiye. Discussions during the visit focused on enhancing cooperation between Türkiye and Canada in political and diplomatic relations as well as in trade, investment, energy, nuclear energy, defense and security, aviation, advanced technologies, mining, and critical minerals. Carney is scheduled to meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara and subsequently travel to Istanbul to meet with representatives of the Turkish business community.

The visit follows the launch of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations between Türkiye and Canada during the NATO Summit held in Ankara in July 2026. Canada stated that the objectives of the visit include strengthening trade and investment, energy, defense and security, and people-to-people ties between the two countries. It was reported that both nations are working on a joint declaration to deepen relations in four key areas and plan to establish committees to develop action plans in these fields.

Carney’s three-day visit is planned to take place in two cities: Ankara and Istanbul. The core of the Ankara agenda will be a meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, while the Istanbul program is expected to focus on economic and commercial relations. Carney was accompanied during the visit by Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand and Minister of Energy Tim Hodgson. It is planned that members of the Canadian delegation will hold meetings with executives of companies active in Türkiye’s defense and energy sectors.

The meetings with Turkish companies in Istanbul are intended to strengthen bilateral trade and investment and create new commercial cooperation opportunities. It was reported that Canada is particularly interested in sectors including aviation, defense, energy, mining, high technology, and agriculture in Türkiye.

Carney’s visit takes place at a time when relations between Türkiye and Canada have accelerated in 2026. Efforts to enhance economic ties were advanced during a meeting in June 2026 between Türkiye’s Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat and Canada’s Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu. In this meeting, the energy sector was identified as a key area for expanding bilateral cooperation, with opportunities for collaboration in nuclear energy also discussed.

A significant milestone in the relationship was the NATO Summit held in Ankara in July 2026. Following the summit talks, the two countries issued a joint declaration on the launch of Free Trade Agreement negotiations. Subsequently, technical teams from both nations began work to define the scope and objectives of a potential agreement.

Carney’s October visit is viewed as a continuation of this diplomatic and economic momentum initiated at the NATO Summit.

The Free Trade Agreement negotiations between Türkiye and Canada formed one of the central economic pillars of the visit. In 2025, Türkiye’s exports to Canada amounted to 1 billion 577 million 350 thousand US dollars, while imports from Canada reached 1 billion 162 million 825 thousand US dollars.^【1】

Thus, total bilateral trade volume reached 2 billion 740 million 175 thousand US dollars in 2025. In Türkiye’s exports to Canada, computers, machinery, mechanical appliances, and instruments ranked first at 158 million 781 thousand US dollars, followed by iron and steel at 104 million 436 thousand US dollars and iron or steel articles at 97 million 46 thousand US dollars.^【2】

In the January to August period of 2026, Türkiye’s exports to Canada amounted to 1 billion 103 million 98 thousand US dollars, while imports from Canada reached 954 million 812 thousand US dollars, bringing the eight-month trade volume close to 2 billion US dollars. In this period, computers, machinery, mechanical appliances, and instruments ranked first in Türkiye’s exports to Canada at 96 million 62 thousand US dollars, followed by aluminum and aluminum products at 73 million 841 thousand US dollars and processed fruits and nuts at 49 million 520 thousand US dollars. If the Free Trade Agreement is concluded, bilateral trade volume is targeted to rise to 7 to 8 billion US dollars in the short term and 10 billion US dollars in the longer term through new cooperative initiatives.^【2】

Energy was one of the top priorities on Carney’s agenda during his visit to Türkiye. Before the visit, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar stated that energy, particularly nuclear energy, would be a central topic of discussions.

It was reported that discussions during the visit are expected to cover Türkiye’s potential to purchase liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Canada and cooperation in the field of critical minerals.

The issue of critical minerals was addressed not only within the context of energy policy but also as part of broader economic and technological cooperation between the two countries. The Canadian government listed mining and high technology among the sectors it prioritizes for cooperation with Türkiye. During Carney’s meetings with Turkish business leaders in Istanbul, opportunities in critical minerals, alongside aviation and advanced technologies, are planned to be assessed.

Potential cooperation in nuclear energy was one of the most concrete items on the energy agenda of the visit. It is expected that a working group will be established to examine the feasibility of using Canada’s CANDU technology for the nuclear power plant Türkiye plans to build on its Black Sea coast.^【3】

Türkiye has held discussions with AtkinsRéalis, the Canadian engineering company that owns the CANDU technology, regarding the planned second and third nuclear power plants. Similar discussions have also been conducted with Korea Electric Power Corporation from South Korea and State Power Investment Corporation from China under the same projects.

Defense and security were included on the visit’s agenda as one of the four key areas planned for enhanced cooperation between Türkiye and Canada. Discussions on the defense industry are expected to focus particularly on cooperation in unmanned aerial vehicles and maritime sectors. The Canadian government has also identified defense as one of the priority sectors for developing commercial and technological ties with Türkiye.

A significant development in defense relations occurred in 2024 when Canada lifted certain defense industry export controls targeting Türkiye. Among the lifted restrictions were controls on optical technologies used in Türkiye’s unmanned aerial vehicles exported to other countries. This move has been seen as one of the key factors paving the way for the renewal of relations following previous disagreements over defense exports.

A significant portion of Carney’s engagements in Istanbul is planned to consist of meetings with the private sector. During discussions with Turkish business representatives, aviation, advanced technologies and critical minerals were highlighted as priority sectors. Canadian government officials expanded this list to include defense, energy, mining, advanced technology, and agriculture among the areas Ottawa seeks to deepen cooperation with Türkiye.

The primary aim of these meetings is to expand bilateral trade relations beyond traditional goods trade to include technology-intensive sectors and mutual investments. The company meetings in Istanbul are planned to strengthen bilateral trade and investment and establish new commercial partnerships.

According to Statistics Canada data, Canada’s stock of direct investment in Türkiye amounted to 3.3 billion Canadian dollars as of 2025, while Türkiye’s direct investment stock in Canada reached 233 million Canadian dollars.^【4】 Increasing mutual investments was identified as one of the main agenda items for enhancing economic relations during Carney’s visit.

Tourism flows between the two countries have also increased. The number of visitors from Canada to Türkiye rose from 302,728 in 2024 to 321,271 in 2025, an increase of 6.1 percent. In the January to August period of 2026, the number of visitors from Canada to Türkiye increased by 2.9 percent compared to the same period of the previous year, reaching 209,176.^【5】

Carney’s visit from 21 to 23 October 2026 constitutes a historic first as the first bilateral official visit by a Canadian prime minister to Türkiye. The visit’s agenda extended beyond political dialogue to encompass a broad range of economic and strategic areas including the Free Trade Agreement, mutual investments, LNG trade, nuclear energy, critical minerals, defense industry, unmanned aerial vehicles, maritime cooperation, aviation, and advanced technologies.

President Erdoğan and Canadian Prime Minister Carney reached an agreement to elevate relations between Türkiye and Canada to the level of a strategic partnership following their talks. Erdoğan made the following statement regarding the importance of the decision at a joint press conference:

"One of the most concrete outcomes of this visit is undoubtedly our decision to elevate our relations with Canada to the level of a strategic partnership. With the contribution of this strategic partnership decision, we aim to implement new projects in many areas over the coming period including energy trade transportation and defense industry."

A three-year action plan has been adopted between the two countries. Carney explained that the plan is based on three key areas: defense and investment energy and people-to-people relations.

Canadian Prime Minister Carney highlighted Türkiye's economic and strategic position with the following remarks:

"Today Canada is seeking to build deep partnerships with reliable partners to create mutual new opportunities and Türkiye is an exceptional partner in this regard."

Erdoğan emphasized that the strategic partnership would not remain merely a diplomatic gesture and made the following assessment:

"Elevating our relations to the level of a strategic partnership will not be a symbolic step confined to paper."

_{Erdoğan and Carney at the Joint Press Conference (22 October 2026) Anadolu Agency}

During the talks the development of economic relations between Türkiye and Canada and the increase of trade volume were among the key agenda items.

President Erdoğan announced that the bilateral trade volume currently at around three billion dollars is targeted to rise first to five billion dollars and subsequently to ten billion dollars. Erdoğan announced the decisions on trade and investment as follows:

"First we have decided to initiate negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement before the end of this year to enhance trade and investment."

The two countries agreed to make more effective use of existing cooperation mechanisms including the Joint Economic and Commercial Committee to develop economic relations.

The next meeting of the committee is planned to be held in Türkiye in 2027 with the participation of private sector representatives. Carney noted that Canadian delegations will visit Ankara during the free trade agreement negotiations and outlined the economic objectives as follows:

"Our goal is clear: to enable businesses to generate greater prosperity uplift our populations reduce costs eliminate barriers reduce uncertainty and open new doors for companies and investors in both countries."

_{Erdoğan and Carney at the Joint Press Conference (22 October 2026) Anadolu Agency}

During a ceremony attended by President Erdoğan and Canadian Prime Minister Carney three agreements were signed between the two countries. The Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Sector Cooperation was signed by Türkiye's President of the Presidency of Defense Industries Haluk Görgün and Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand.

The Air Transport Agreement was signed by Türkiye's Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu and Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand. The Joint Declaration on Energy Cooperation was signed by Türkiye's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar and Canada's Minister of Energy Tim Hodgson.

The agreements aim to enhance bilateral cooperation in the defense industry air transportation and energy sectors.

_{Erdoğan and Carney at the Joint Press Conference (22 October 2026) Anadolu Agency}

During the talks between Türkiye and Canada defense industry cooperation was identified as one of the core elements of the strategic partnership. Canadian Prime Minister Carney highlighted Türkiye's military capacity within NATO and its advancements in the defense industry. Carney made the following statement regarding Türkiye's role in international security:

"This security cooperation is very deep because Türkiye's influence extends across a wide area. It is a major economy in the G20 an important ally within NATO and plays a crucial role in resolving the most complex conflicts around the world."

The Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Sector Cooperation aims to foster joint projects between Turkish and Canadian defense companies and to expand investment and export opportunities.

Türkiye's President of the Presidency of Defense Industries Haluk Görgün assessed the agreement as follows:

"This signature is a concrete manifestation of our determination to enhance defense cooperation between our two allies."

President Erdoğan also noted that the Defense Security and Resilience Bank to be established under Canada's leadership is expected to provide financial support to defense industry cooperation between the two countries.

Under the Joint Declaration on Energy Cooperation signed between Türkiye and Canada the two countries agreed to enhance cooperation in nuclear energy liquefied natural gas LNG renewable energy mining and critical minerals.

Türkiye's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar stated that nuclear energy technologies were a central focus of his discussions with Canada's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson.

Bayraktar provided the following remarks on the content of the talks:

"At the center of our agenda was nuclear energy which holds a strategic place in Türkiye's long-term energy supply security. We focused on assessing the feasibility of Canada's CANDU reactor technology in Türkiye and on developing technical cooperation in this direction."

The two countries agreed to explore joint projects that could benefit from Canada's experience in nuclear technology. The Joint Declaration also decided to facilitate discussions between project developers and potential long-term buyers to leverage Canada's growing LNG export capacity.

Bayraktar outlined the objectives of energy cooperation as follows:

"We aim to transform the accumulated expertise and investment potential of both countries into mutually beneficial partnerships."

During the visit the existing air transport arrangements between Türkiye and Canada were updated. Canadian Prime Minister Carney announced that the number of weekly passenger flights between the two countries will increase from twelve to twenty-one under the signed agreement.

President Erdoğan also stated that the updated Air Transport Agreement aims to nearly double the number of direct flights.

The revision is intended to enhance tourism trade and travel opportunities for citizens of both countries.

The talks between Erdoğan and Carney also addressed developments in Gaza Ukraine Iran and the Gulf region.

President Erdoğan emphasized the need to resolve conflicts in Ukraine and the Gulf through diplomatic means and made the following statement:

"We hope that diplomatic methods will open the path to lasting peace both in Ukraine and in the Gulf. We confirmed that we share a common view on this point."

Erdoğan also assessed Canada's sanctions against Israel's settlement policies:

"In Gaza we view Canada's steps alongside some other allies to impose sanctions on illegal settlements as a well-targeted move to deter Israeli violations."

Carney underscored the importance of security cooperation between the two countries highlighting Türkiye's role in NATO the G20 and regional diplomacy.

Canadian Prime Minister Carney visited Anıtkabir as part of his Ankara engagements. Carney recalled that after World War II several countries including Canada sent trees to be planted around Anıtkabir as a gesture of peace.

Carney noted that these trees symbolize peace and solidarity between nations and referenced Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's principle of "Peace at home peace in the world."

Canadian Prime Minister Carney made the following assessment regarding changes in the international system:

"Today we are right in the middle of a rupture. The old world order will not return. Institutions that have ensured our security and prosperity for decades are under threat."

Carney concluded his remarks by referring to the long-term goals of the strategic partnership initiated with Türkiye:

"We hope this partnership will grow stronger and endure for generations to come. Peace at home peace in the world."

The talks held on 22 October 2026 resulted in the elevation of relations between Türkiye and Canada to the level of a strategic partnership.

A three-year action plan adopted between the two countries and the signed agreements have established a new framework for enhancing cooperation in trade energy defense industry and transportation.

Following the talks President Erdoğan made the following remarks on the future of Türkiye-Canada relations:

"Today we have overcome a long-standing estrangement between Türkiye and Canada. We are now launching a new chapter in our relations."

The visit set out clear objectives including the initiation of free trade agreement negotiations before the end of 2026 the long-term increase of trade volume to ten billion dollars and the development of joint projects in energy and defense industry.