Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will visit Turkey this week, meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara and Turkish business leaders in Istanbul. The primary objective of the visit is to deepen bilateral cooperation between the two NATO allies across four areas—defense, energy, economy, and social connections—through the signing of a joint declaration. Committees established in each sector will develop action plans to operationalize the partnership.

Carney's visit marks the first dedicated bilateral visit by a Canadian prime minister to Turkey. The visit reflects Canada's strategy to reduce trade dependence on the United States amid ongoing commercial tensions and President Donald Trump's criticism of Canadian sovereignty. By strengthening partnerships with regional powers, Canada aims to diversify its strategic relationships. Foreign Minister Anita Anand and Energy Minister Tim Hodgson will accompany Carney on the trip.

Defense cooperation will focus on unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology and maritime systems. In 2024, Canada lifted weapons-export controls on Turkey, including restrictions on optical technology used in UAVs that Turkey exports to dozens of nations. This removal of restrictions has enhanced Turkey's export capacity in the defense sector. Potential cooperation in ammunition production, UAV development, and naval systems has emerged as new opportunities, particularly given Trump's policies toward Canada. However, Turkish defense analysts caution that major agreements are unlikely to materialize in the short term.

Energy discussions will center on nuclear power and liquefied natural gas (LNG). Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar stated that nuclear energy will be among the top agenda items during Carney's visit. Turkey is evaluating Canadian CANDU technology (through AtkinsRealis), South Korea's Korea Electric Power Corporation, and China's State Power Investment Corporation for building planned nuclear power plants on Turkey's Black Sea coast. Russia's Rosatom is constructing Turkey's first nuclear facility. Discussions will also include potential LNG purchases from Canada and critical minerals procurement.

During his visit, Carney will meet with executives from companies including Çalık Holding and Sabancı Holding, which operate in energy and defense sectors. The Canadian government is actively seeking investment and commercial opportunities in Turkey's aerospace, defense, energy, mining, high-technology, and agriculture sectors. Advancing bilateral free trade negotiations is also part of the joint declaration's scope. This visit exemplifies Canada's broader effort to establish new strategic partnerships in a shifting geopolitical environment.