During a joint news conference, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan unveiled the Canada-Turkiye Strategic Partnership. The partnership, backed by a three-year action plan, marks a new era in relations between the two countries. Carney stated, 'President Erdogan and I are launching the Canada-Turkey strategic partnership, backed by a three-year action plan.'
The partnership's cornerstone is an agreement to begin free trade negotiations. Erdogan declared, 'We hope to increase our trade volume, which currently stands at around $3 billion, to $5 billion initially and then to $10 billion through the steps we will take.' This is a strategic move to strengthen the relationship between two important players in the global economy.
Beyond trade, the partnership focuses on defense and security. Both leaders emphasized the importance of collaboration in these areas, with a new agreement reached for Canadian and Turkish companies to work together in the defense industry. The partnership aims to create a robust framework for joint projects, which could lead to significant technological and industrial advancements.
The leaders discussed these sectors extensively to strengthen bilateral relations.
Energy, transportation, and trade are central pillars of the new cooperation. The leaders discussed these sectors extensively to strengthen bilateral relations. These areas are expected to boost economic opportunities and create a stronger foundation for the partnership.
People-to-people ties are also a significant part of the partnership. The leaders emphasized the importance of these connections, which foster a deeper understanding and friendship between the two nations, ensuring that the agreement is a people-driven initiative.
The launch of the partnership is just the beginning. The next steps involve detailed negotiations and implementation of the action plan, with trade talks set to begin next month. The first official visit by a Canadian prime minister to Turkey serves as a clear signal of the renewed cooperation between the two nations.