Türkiye and Canada have elevated their relationship by launching a Strategic Partnership supported by a three-year Action Plan built around four main areas. A joint statement issued after President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Ankara on October 22, 2026, identified trade and investment, energy and climate, defence and security, and government-to-government and people-to-people ties as the partnership’s central pillars.
The trip marks the first dedicated bilateral visit to Türkiye by a Canadian prime minister. After arriving in Ankara, Carney met Erdoğan at the Presidential Complex. The joint statement published by the Canadian Prime Minister’s Office said the two foreign ministers would oversee implementation of the three-year plan, creating a structure for the relationship to advance through defined areas of work.
Free-trade goal within the economic pillar
The first pillar covers trade, investment and innovation. The leaders agreed to work toward the successful conclusion of a Canada-Türkiye Free Trade Agreement and expand trade and investment in priority sectors such as energy supply, defence production, aerospace and artificial intelligence. They also agreed to pursue ratification of the bilateral Air Transport Agreement, strengthen cooperation between trade and export agencies and examine opportunities to work together in third countries.
Canadian government data show two-way merchandise trade reached C$4.3 billion in 2025, consisting of C$1.1 billion in Canadian exports and C$3.2 billion in imports from Türkiye. Trade has increased by almost 50% over the past five years. Reuters nevertheless reported that Türkiye still represents less than 0.3% of Canada’s total merchandise trade, underlining the distance between the current level and the ambitions set out in the Action Plan.
Energy, climate and critical minerals
Under the energy and climate pillar, the two countries agreed to advance cooperation in liquefied natural gas, civil nuclear energy, renewable energy, clean technologies and the resilience of critical energy infrastructure. They also plan to support dialogue among nuclear-sector stakeholders and strengthen work on sustainable mining and critical-mineral supply chains. The leaders welcomed a separate joint statement on energy cooperation agreed by their energy ministers.
Canada also welcomed Türkiye’s hosting and presidency of COP31, scheduled to take place in Antalya from November 9 to 20, 2026. The statement links the partnership’s economic objectives with climate resilience, environmental protection and clean-technology investment, while leaving the details of individual projects for later negotiations.
A new defence-sector memorandum
On defence and security, the two NATO allies confirmed their intention to deepen bilateral and multilateral cooperation. Global Affairs Canada and Türkiye’s Presidency of Defence Industries concluded a Defence Sector Partnerships Memorandum of Understanding. According to the joint statement, the memorandum is intended to facilitate expanded defence-industry partnerships and support ongoing discussions in areas of shared interest.
No specific weapons system, order value, delivery schedule or company contract was announced. The memorandum should therefore be understood as a framework for possible institutional and industrial cooperation rather than a confirmed procurement deal. The leaders also highlighted the importance of beginning a dialogue on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters and extradition.
An annual strategic dialogue
The fourth pillar establishes an annual Canada-Türkiye Strategic Dialogue. The countries plan to continue annual Joint Economic and Trade Committee meetings, Political-Military consultations and Counter-Terrorism consultations. Cooperation on consular matters, migration, travel and mobility, cultural exchanges and engagement with diaspora communities is also included.
Türkiye welcomed an invitation for President Erdoğan to visit Canada at a mutually convenient time. The Action Plan does not mean that all proposed commercial, energy or defence projects have begun automatically. Concrete outcomes will depend on working groups, negotiations, domestic approvals and any separate contracts that may follow.
