In a rapidly changing world, Canada’s government is focused on what we can control: building our strength at home and diversifying our partnerships abroad to create greater certainty, security, and prosperity for Canadians. As a NATO Ally and G20 member, Türkiye is an important partner in this mission.
To advance this partnership, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, today announced that he will travel to Ankara and Istanbul, Türkiye, from October 21 to 23, 2026. This will mark the first bilateral visit to Türkiye by a Canadian Prime Minister.
In Ankara, Prime Minister Carney will meet with President Erdoğan to elevate the Canada-Türkiye partnership in key areas, including energy and mining, climate, defence and security, and people-to-people ties.
In Istanbul, the Prime Minister will meet with Turkish business leaders and investors to position Canada as a key partner in trade and investment. Bilateral trade has increased by almost 50% in the past five years. The Prime Minister will emphasise opportunities to expand that growing trade relationship in priority sectors, including energy, aerospace, advanced technologies, and mining and critical minerals.
At this pivotal time in history, Canada and Türkiye are strengthening our partnership to strengthen our shared security and create new economic opportunities for workers and businesses in both countries.
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“Türkiye is an important NATO Ally and G20 partner, with enormous potential for greater economic cooperation in strategic sectors. We are deepening our partnership to build greater certainty, security, and prosperity for both our peoples.”
The Rt. Hon. Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada
Quick facts
- Canada and Türkiye are NATO Allies with longstanding diplomatic relations dating back to 1944. Both countries work closely together on today’s most pressing global challenges through a number of multilateral forums, including the United Nations, the G20, the International Civil Aviation Organization, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
- Two-way merchandise trade between Canada and Türkiye reached $4.3 billion in 2025, including $1.1 billion in Canadian exports and $3.2 billion in imports from Türkiye.
- Prime Minister Carney last travelled to Türkiye in July 2026 to attend the NATO Summit in Ankara. On the margins of the Summit, he met with President Erdoğan where the leaders announced the launch of negotiations toward a comprehensive Canada-Türkiye free trade agreement. Public consultations in Canada on this agreement concluded last month.