Canada Inks Pact With Ankara

Canada and Turkey formalized a strategic partnership on Friday, a move that prioritizes trade diversification over shared democratic values.

Prime Minister Mark Carney signed the agreement at the end of his visit to the country. The deal opens the door for Canadian firms to participate in Turkey's energy sector. Specifically, Carney stated there are good chances that AtkinsRealis will be selected to help build two nuclear power plants currently in the planning stage.

The partnership follows a period of heightened tension between the two nations. Turkish authorities conducted several high-profile operations this month. Critics argue these actions were designed to silence opposition figures, suppress independent journalism, and restrict marginalized communities. These developments have intensified scrutiny of the Turkish government's human rights record.

Carney defended the agreement using his policy of values-based realism. He argued that Canada maintains high standards compared to most of the world. "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 reportedly raised human rights issues with her Turkish counterpart during meetings on Thursday. When asked if he personally discussed these concerns with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Carney declined to provide specific details. He noted that direct conversations with leaders are more effective when they are open but not reported in detail.

The signing comes as Carney seeks to reduce Canada's economic reliance on the United States. While much of this effort has focused on Europe and the Indo-Pacific, the government has also engaged with other partners with mixed human rights records, including Saudi Arabia. The Turkish deal represents a further expansion of this strategy.

Carney also addressed a dispute with Washington regarding the upcoming U.S. midterm elections. On Thursday, the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa released a fact sheet accusing Canadian leaders of meddling in the November 3 vote. Carney called the claims without merit and expressed disappointment that the U.S. envoy viewed it as his role to make such suggestions. He emphasized that Canada maintains a careful diplomatic presence to avoid interfering in American democratic processes.