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Carney sets Türkiye visit for trade and security talks

Mark Carney plans to visit Ankara and Istanbul on October 21–23 for talks with Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Turkish business leaders. Canada describes it as its first prime-ministerial bilateral visit to Türkiye. Energy, mining and defence are on the agenda, following the launch of free-trade negotiations at the July NATO summit.

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Mark Carney seated in a bright official room between Canadian and Turkish national flags.

Carney will meet Erdoğan in Ankara

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced plans on 6 October to visit Ankara and Istanbul from 21 to 23 October. His itinerary includes talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara and meetings with Turkish business leaders and investors in Istanbul. Ottawa describes the trip as the first dedicated bilateral visit to Türkiye by a Canadian prime minister.[1], [2]

Energy and mining, climate, defence and security, and people-to-people ties are listed for the Ankara discussions. The Istanbul programme focuses on expanding trade and investment, with energy, aerospace, advanced technologies, mining and critical minerals identified as priority sectors. The announced meetings bring government contacts and business discussions into the same visit.[1]

Free-trade talks began at the July summit

Carney previously travelled to Ankara for the July summit of NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. At a meeting on the summit’s margins, he and Erdoğan announced the start of negotiations for a comprehensive Canada–Türkiye free-trade agreement. Canadian public consultations on that agreement concluded in September, according to Ottawa. Both countries are members of NATO and the G20 group of major economies.[1]

Trade growth underpins Ottawa’s agenda

The Canadian government says bilateral merchandise trade has grown by almost 50 per cent over the past five years. It presents diversification of overseas partnerships and stronger domestic capacity as the policy setting for the visit. Diplomatic relations between the countries date to 1944. Ottawa’s stated objectives include economic opportunities for workers and businesses, shared security and cooperation in strategic sectors.[1]

References

  1. News sourcePrime Minister of CanadaCarney announces October 21–23 visit to Ankara and Istanbul↩1↩2↩3↩4
  2. News sourceReutersCarney plans talks with Erdoğan on October 21–23 Türkiye visit↩
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