Carney to Make Historic First Canadian PM Visit to Turkey

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to travel to Ankara and Istanbul between October 21 and 23. The office of the prime minister announced that this trip will constitute the first-ever visit by a Canadian head of government to Turkey, a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

The journey represents the latest step in Carney’s efforts to reduce Canada’s dependence on the United States. Washington remains Ottawa’s largest trading partner by a significant margin, particularly following the collapse of bilateral trade negotiations in August.

Strategic Goals for the Trip

In a statement released by his office, Carney confirmed he will meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara. The discussions aim to strengthen bilateral ties across several key sectors.

These areas include energy, mining, climate change, defense, and security. The visit underscores a broader diplomatic push to diversify international partnerships beyond traditional North American channels.