Turkish top diplomat to visit Canada for strategic talks
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan travels to Ottawa on Thursday for high-level discussions with his Canadian counterpart, Anita Anand. The two-day agenda covers trade expansion, nuclear energy collaboration, and defence industry ties, alongside pressing regional security concerns including Iran, Ukraine, and Gaza.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is set to embark on a two-day official visit to Canada beginning Thursday, aiming to elevate bilateral ties and broaden cooperation across multiple strategic fronts, according to diplomatic sources in Ankara.
Trade and energy on the table
Kicking off his itinerary in Toronto, Fidan will tour the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station to assess Canada’s civilian nuclear capabilities—a sector where both nations see untapped partnership potential. He will then engage with business leaders, academics, and civil society representatives before heading to the capital, Ottawa, for face-to-face talks with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand.
Strategic partnership push
During the Ottawa meetings, Fidan is expected to present Türkiye’s vision for transforming the current relationship into a structured strategic partnership, emphasising the need for intensified high-level exchanges and reciprocal visits. With bilateral commerce hitting approximately $2.7 billion in 2025—Türkiye exporting $1.57 billion worth of goods while importing $1.16 billion from Canada—the minister will urge both sides to expedite negotiations on a long-pending free trade agreement.
Defence and nuclear cooperation
Beyond trade, Fidan will spotlight new avenues for collaboration in energy, particularly nuclear power, and advocate for stronger defence-industry linkages alongside an updated legal framework governing military ties. Turkish officials note that Turkish Airlines has already boosted its weekly Canada flights from 12 to 21 as of May, reflecting growing connectivity.
Regional flashpoints
On regional affairs, the Turkish minister will warn against any provocations that could unravel the recent US-Iran understanding, while stressing the urgency of restoring unimpeded navigation through the Strait of Hormuz for global energy security. He is also prepared to reaffirm Ankara’s willingness to facilitate diplomatic efforts toward ending the Russia-Ukraine war and to renew calls for concerted international pressure on Israel regarding its policies in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon. Anand’s previous visit to Türkiye took place on March 17.
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