Türkiye and Canada have agreed to launch exploratory talks on a potential Free Trade Agreement (FTA), signaling a new phase in efforts to strengthen economic and commercial relations between the two countries.

The decision was announced following a meeting between Turkish Trade Minister Ömer Bolat and Canadian Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu, who discussed ways to expand bilateral trade, investment and sectoral cooperation.

According to a joint statement, the move comes after recent contacts between Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Mark Carney, during which both leaders expressed support for closer economic engagement and deeper commercial ties.

The ministers agreed that exploratory negotiations would help assess the scope and potential benefits of a future free trade agreement. If realized, such an agreement could facilitate market access, encourage investment and create new opportunities for businesses in both countries.

The two sides also welcomed the expansion of the existing Air Transport Agreement between Türkiye and Canada. Officials said enhanced air connectivity is expected to support tourism, improve business travel and strengthen trade and logistics links between the two economies.

Energy cooperation featured prominently in the discussions. Both ministers identified renewable energy and nuclear power as areas with significant potential for collaboration. They also exchanged views on the possible role of Canada's CANDU nuclear reactor technology in supporting Türkiye's strategy to diversify its energy sources and enhance long-term energy security.

In addition, the meeting addressed opportunities for cooperation in the aerospace sector, where both countries possess advanced technological capabilities. The ministers discussed prospects for joint projects, innovation partnerships and increased industrial cooperation in aviation-related fields.

The statement further noted that defense, security and related industries could offer additional opportunities for investment and technological collaboration, contributing to economic growth and industrial development in both countries.

To maintain momentum in bilateral relations, Türkiye and Canada agreed to continue high-level dialogue and organize reciprocal visits. Officials said such engagements would help identify concrete areas of cooperation and strengthen contacts between the public and private sectors.

The ministers also highlighted the strong people-to-people ties connecting the two nations, emphasizing the role of family, cultural and educational links in supporting the broader relationship.

Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to expanding trade, promoting mutual investment and pursuing practical cooperation aimed at delivering lasting economic benefits for their peoples.(ILKHA)