Carney Signs Turkey Pact, Citing 50% Chance for Nuclear Deal

Canada and Turkey finalized a strategic partnership on Friday, a move Prime Minister Mark Carney framed as a necessary step to diversify trade away from the United States. The agreement was signed in Ankara during a two-day visit that included meetings with President Recep Erdogan and business leaders in Istanbul.

Carney addressed ongoing criticism regarding Turkish human rights records. He described the government's foreign policy approach as values-based realism, a method that accepts partners may not share all Canadian values. "Engagement in those partnerships does not mean approval," Carney said. "There are very few countries in this world that have the standards of Canada."

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand raised human rights concerns with her Turkish counterpart on Thursday, according to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office. When asked if he personally discussed these issues with Erdogan, Carney confirmed that they held direct conversations. He noted that direct dialogue is more effective than public reporting. "We have raised these issues," he said.

The partnership includes discussions on energy technology. Carney stated there are good chances that Canadian engineering firm AtkinsRealis will be selected to help build two nuclear power plants in Turkey. This potential contract aligns with Ankara's climate goals and Ottawa's goal to expand its global trade footprint beyond Europe and the Indo-Pacific.

Carney also reacted to a fact sheet released by the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa on Thursday. The document accused Canadian leaders of interfering in the upcoming U.S. midterm elections scheduled for Nov. 3. Carney called the claims meritless and expressed disappointment that the U.S. envoy viewed it as his role to make such suggestions. He emphasized that Canada maintains a deep diplomatic presence in the United States and is careful not to interfere in its democratic process.

The visit concluded with business meetings in Istanbul. Carney aims to reduce Canada's reliance on the U.S. market by strengthening ties with other nations. Recent trade efforts have also included partners with similar human rights scrutiny, such as Saudi Arabia.