Canada and Turkey launch free trade agreement negotiations

(Horizon Media / ANKARA) — Canada and Turkey have formally launched negotiations toward a comprehensive free trade agreement following a meeting between Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Ankara on July 7.

The announcement marks the next stage in the two governments’ efforts to deepen bilateral economic relations. In early June, Canadian International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu and Turkish Trade Minister Ömer Bolat announced the start of exploratory discussions to assess the scope of a possible agreement.

In a joint statement, the two countries said a modern and mutually beneficial trade agreement could support economic growth, job creation and business competitiveness, while also strengthening supply chains and expanding commercial opportunities in both markets.

Technical teams from Canada and Turkey are expected to begin work in the coming months to determine the scope and level of ambition of the proposed agreement and prepare for the first formal round of negotiations.

The two governments said they intend to pursue a high-quality agreement designed to strengthen the broader Canada-Turkey partnership and create new opportunities for businesses, workers and consumers in both countries.