# Canada-Turkey strategic partnership development > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/canada-turkey-strategic-partnership-development > Updated: 2026-10-23T08:28:00.000Z. Sources: 29. Developments: 2. Canada and Turkey have elevated their bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership following a meeting in Ankara between Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The partnership focuses on four pillars: trade and investment, defense and security, energy, and people-to-people ties. To implement this alliance, the nations adopted a three-year action plan and signed cooperation agreements in energy, defense, and air transport. The air transport agreement includes increasing weekly passenger flights between the two countries from 12 to 21 and providing unlimited capacity for cargo flights. Economic goals include increasing bilateral trade from approximately $3 billion to $5 billion in the short term, with a medium-term target of $10 billion. Negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) are scheduled to begin in Ankara from November 30 to December 4, 2026. Further diplomatic developments include a strategic cooperation agreement between Türk Eximbank and Export Development Canada to support joint projects in third-country markets, including Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia. In the energy sector, discussions have highlighted the potential for AtkinsRéalis to supply Candu nuclear reactors for planned Turkish power plants, with Prime Minister Carney indicating the bid has “good chances” of success. This technology faces competition from bids by South Korea, Russia, China, and Japan for Turkey’s third nuclear power plant project. Turkish Trade Minister Ömer Bolat characterized the relationship as a “new era,” noting that the Canadian Prime Minister’s visit marked the first official state visit to Turkey in 83 years. ## Claims - Canada and Turkey upgraded their relationship to a strategic partnership. (corroborated by 15 sources) - The first round of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement has begun. (corroborated by 13 sources) - The meeting took place in Ankara on October 22, 2026. (corroborated by 11 sources) - Ministers signed cooperation agreements in energy, defense, and aviation. (corroborated by 10 sources) - The partnership focuses on four specific pillars. (corroborated by 9 sources) - The partnership will be implemented via a three-year action plan. (corroborated by 8 sources) - Canada seeks to reduce economic dependence on the United States. (corroborated by 7 sources) - The goal is to increase trade volume from $3 billion to $5 billion, and eventually to $10 billion. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Turkey is seeking investment in its defense industry, nuclear power plants, and mining. (corroborated by 6 sources) - Cooperation will target energy, defense, trade, and transportation. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The air agreement could nearly double direct flights between Canada and Turkey. (corroborated by 3 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-23: Turkey advances trade relations with Canada, Slovakia, and EU Trade Minister Ömer Bolat announced trade growth with Slovakia, upcoming FTA negotiations with Canada, and progress on Customs Union updates with the EU. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkey-advances-trade-relations-with-canada-slovakia-and-eu ### 2026-10-22: Canada and Turkey establish strategic partnership Canada and Turkey have launched a strategic partnership and scheduled free-trade negotiations for late November 2026, focusing on defense, energy, and increased air connectivity. 27 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/canada-and-turkey-establish-strategic-partnership --- Cite as: Canada-Turkey strategic partnership development. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/canada-turkey-strategic-partnership-development