Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Turkey on Thursday to kick off a two-day visit to the Mediterranean country.

During the visit, Carney met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Turkish presidential palace in Ankara. 

Erdogan: A 'new era' in Turkey-Canada relations

The two leaders announced that the Canadian-Turkish relationship would be upgraded to a "strategic partnership," covering areas such as trade, energy and people-to-people ties. 

"We've planted the seeds of something new: a strategic partnership that will create new opportunities for our workers and businesses, and greater security and prosperity for both of our peoples. With care and commitment, it will grow for generations to come," Carney said alongside Erdogan.          

Erdogan said we "are starting a new era between Turkey and Canada," while hailing Carney as a leader with "common-sense and acumen." The Turkish leader said negotiations on a free trade agreement with Canada will begin before the end of 2026.

"We hope to increase our trade volume, which is currently around $3 billion (€2.6 billion), to $5 billion and then $10 billion. We will approximately double direct flights between our countries," Erdogan continued. 

Canada and Turkey, both members of the NATO military alliance, agreed to deepen their defense relationship during the visit.

Canada seeks to diversify trade relationships amid Trump tariff onslaught 

The Canadian prime minister, a former central banker, is expected to meet with Turkish business leaders on Friday in Istanbul.

Carney's visit comes as Canada seeks to broaden its trade relationships with other countries beyond its southern neighbor. Nearly 70% of Canadian exports go to the United States.

Since reentering office in 2025, US President Donald Trump escalated a trade war against Canada and imposed tariffs on many Canadian goods, leading Canada to wean itself off the US.

Turkey has a population of over 86 million people and the world's 16th-largest nominal GDP as of 2026. Canada, meanwhile, has a population of over 41 million people and the 11th-largest GDP.       

Amnesty tells Canada: Emphasize human rights in negotiations with Turkey

Carney's visit to Turkey also comes as Erdogan and his conservative Justice and Development Party (AKP) crack down on the opposition and critical media. In addition, the Turkish government has targeted the LGBTQ+ community with mass arrests. 

Ruhat Sena Aksenir, the Turkey director of human rights watchdog Amnesty International, said: "Canada must not treat human rights as secondary in the negotiations."

"Sustainable partnerships depend on accountability and respect for the rule of law," she continued.   

The AKP has ruled Turkey since 2002, with the party, and particularly Erdogan, consolidating power. 

According to human rights organization Freedom House, Turkey is "not free" and scores low in the areas of political rights and civil liberties. Reporters without Borders ranks Turkey 163 out of 180 on its World Press Freedom Index.

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Edited by: Sean Sinico