Carney heads home after first PM visit to Turkey

Prime Minister Mark Carney is on his way home to Ottawa after a three-day trip to Turkey, the first bilateral visit there by a Canadian prime minister, The Canadian Press reported Saturday.

Carney ended the trip with a visit to Istanbul’s Kariye Mosque with his wife, Diana Fox Carney. The prime minister’s office said in a backgrounder that the site was chosen to underscore Canada’s recognition of cultural heritage as a bridge between peoples and nations. The building was once a Byzantine church and is known for its frescoes and mosaics.

Carney and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed on a new strategic partnership after meeting in Ankara on Thursday. The two countries plan closer co-operation on defence and energy, and free-trade talks are to begin in the coming weeks. We covered the agreement in our report on the partnership and trade talks.

Officials also formalized an expanded air transportation agreement that could eventually nearly double the number of direct flights between the two countries, The Canadian Press reported. Carney met business leaders and investment firms in Istanbul, including representatives of Turkish Airlines.

Erdogan called Carney a “dear friend” and signalled he plans to lead a business delegation to Canada, according to The Canadian Press.

Carney said the trip fits his push to diversify trade and reduce reliance on the United States. “Our goal is not self-sufficiency; it is collective resilience,” he said in a joint statement with Erdogan.

Human rights have been an irritant in the relationship, and Turkey faces international scrutiny over a crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights. Carney told reporters that “engagement is not approval” when Canada does business with countries that do not share its values. He said Canada raised human rights with Turkish officials but did not confirm whether he raised it directly with Erdogan.

During the visit, Carney also said the Candu reactor has good chances in Turkey’s nuclear bid. A tourist outside the mosque shouted “Go Oilers!” and Carney replied that the team looks good this year.

Carney was expected to land in Ottawa on Saturday evening, ahead of Monday’s meeting with First Nations leaders and the premiers.

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Via The Canadian Press.