Carney signs Turkey pact as he defends trade diplomacy

There are very few countries in this world that have the standards of Canada, Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters in Turkey on Friday. He used that statistic to frame his government's new strategic partnership with Ankara, a move he said balances economic goals with human rights concerns.

Carney signed the agreement with President Recep Erdogan's government on Friday, concluding a trip that included political talks in Ankara and business meetings in Istanbul. The partnership aims to deepen trade ties as part of a broader effort to diversify Canada's trading partners. Most of that diversification work has focused on Europe and the Indo-Pacific, but Ottawa has also engaged with other states with mixed human rights records, including Saudi Arabia.

A key economic target is the nuclear sector. Carney said there are good chances that Canadian engineering firm AtkinsRealis will be selected as a partner to build two power plants Turkey is planning. This potential contract supports Canada's push to reduce its heavy dependence on the United States market.

Human rights groups have criticized the Turkish government for months. Critics argue that recent high-profile operations by Turkish authorities were designed to silence opposition voices, suppress independent journalism, and restrict marginalized groups. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand raised these issues with her Turkish counterpart in meetings on Thursday. When asked if he personally raised the concerns with Erdogan, Carney said he prefers direct and open conversations that are not reported out in detail.

"Engagement in those partnerships does not mean approval," Carney said. He described the government's approach as values-based realism, a method that accepts partners may not share all Canadian values while maintaining a relationship.

Carney also addressed a formal complaint from the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa, which released a fact sheet on Thursday accusing Canadian leaders of meddling in the upcoming Nov. 3 midterm elections. Carney called the claims meritless on Friday. "I'm disappointed that their envoy sees that as his role to make these suggestions," he said. He noted that Canada maintains a deep diplomatic presence in the United States and is careful not to interfere in the American democratic process.

The prime minister's comments came as he prepared to leave Turkey. The strategic partnership marks a new chapter in bilateral relations, focusing on energy, trade, and direct diplomatic communication.