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Türkiye and Canada are moving ahead with plans for a free trade agreement and expanding cooperation in nuclear energy as the two NATO allies deepen their partnership ahead of a leaders' summit in Ankara, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Friday after talks with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand.
Speaking at a joint news conference in Ottawa, Fidan said both governments are working to unlock long-standing cooperation across trade, defense, energy and diplomacy, describing recent bilateral contacts as productive.
"There are major areas of cooperation between Türkiye and Canada that have not been fully realized for years," he said. "Despite being two major NATO allies, we have not advanced our potential in certain areas to the level we desire."
Fidan announced that Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Anand and Defense Minister David McGuinty are expected in Ankara for the NATO summit on July 7-8, with Carney also planning a separate visit to Türkiye soon.
He described the gathering as a key meeting where allies will discuss NATO's future, strategic priorities, transatlantic coordination, threat perceptions and defense readiness amid growing geopolitical challenges.
A proposed Türkiye-Canada Free Trade Agreement emerged as one of the main outcomes of the talks.
Fidan said preliminary discussions between the two countries have officially begun, adding that both governments want to move the process forward quickly to expand bilateral trade and create new business opportunities.
Anand confirmed that technical work toward a possible trade agreement is already underway, noting that two-way trade totaled $4.3 billion last year.
She also announced an expanded air transport agreement that will see Turkish Airlines add flights to Toronto and Montreal this summer, while Air Transat launches direct Montreal-Istanbul service in the fall.
Energy featured prominently during the talks, particularly nuclear power.
Following a joint visit to Canada's Darlington Nuclear Generating Station, Fidan highlighted Canada's expertise in conventional nuclear technology and small modular reactors, saying the technology could support Türkiye's long-term plans to expand its nuclear energy capacity.
"Türkiye is a country seeking to expand its nuclear energy capacity, and we are in intensive discussions with international partners on nuclear power plant construction," he said.
Fidan noted that Türkiye is pursuing second and third nuclear power plants while continuing to expand renewable energy, adding that nuclear power remains essential to meeting growing industrial demand.
He also identified critical minerals, liquefied natural gas and the defense industry as sectors with strong potential for closer cooperation.
Anand said she delivered a letter from Canada's energy minister expressing interest in broadening nuclear cooperation with Türkiye.
"Canada is a global leader in nuclear technology, and we see significant opportunities to work together to advance not only energy security but also economic growth and clean energy development," she said.
Defense cooperation also featured prominently ahead of the NATO summit. Anand described the meeting in Ankara as "highly anticipated," saying allies will focus on strengthening defense industrial cooperation, integrating supply chains and improving interoperability.
She outlined four pillars guiding bilateral relations: trade and investment, energy and critical minerals, defense and security, and people-to-people ties.
Beyond bilateral issues, the ministers exchanged views on regional developments. Fidan welcomed the U.S.-Iran ceasefire and its expansion to Lebanon, stressing the need to preserve uninterrupted navigation through the Strait of Hormuz while reaffirming Türkiye's support for ongoing U.S.-Iran diplomacy.
He also warned against any actions that could undermine the process.
On Gaza, Fidan accused Israel of obstructing humanitarian aid and reiterated Türkiye's support for ending the humanitarian crisis. "We are not taking our eyes off Gaza," he said.
Fidan also renewed Türkiye's offer to host another round of peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, coming days after Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated that Moscow was ready to resume talks in Istanbul based on earlier agreements.
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