Carney and Erdogan Hold Bilateral Talks at NATO Summit
Prime Minister Mark Carney met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Turkiye, according to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office. The leaders discussed strengthening bilateral defense ties and regional security issues.
The meeting comes as Canada recently selected German company ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) as the preferred bidder to supply a new fleet of submarines by 2034, a deal valued at up to $60 billion. The submarine contract has drawn attention from NATO allies, including Turkiye, which has its own naval modernization plans.
Submarine Deal Highlights Defense Cooperation
TKMS CEO Oliver Burkhard said, "The real work begins now," after the company was named the preferred submarine bidder. The deal is expected to create thousands of jobs in Canada and bolster the country's Arctic sovereignty capabilities.
Canada's submarine procurement is part of a broader defense modernization effort, with the government also investing in new surveillance aircraft. NATO is looking to Saab to build up to 10 surveillance planes using Canadian jets, further integrating Canada into alliance intelligence-sharing networks.
Erdogan and Carney Discuss Regional Stability
During their meeting, Carney and Erdogan also addressed the situation in Ukraine and the Middle East, according to a readout from the Prime Minister's Office. Turkiye plays a key role in NATO's southern flank and has mediated grain deals during the Russia-Ukraine war.
The Canadian delegation emphasized the importance of upholding international law and territorial integrity. Erdogan expressed interest in expanding trade with Canada, particularly in defense and energy sectors.
Canada's Role in NATO Strengthened
The NATO summit in Turkiye marks Carney's first major international gathering since taking office. Canada has committed to increasing defense spending to meet the NATO target of 2% of GDP by 2032, a pledge welcomed by allies.
Carney's meeting with Erdogan signals a reset in Canada-Turkiye relations, which were strained in recent years over arms export restrictions and human rights concerns. Both leaders agreed to continue dialogue on these issues.
