Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to travel to Ankara on Monday to attend the annual NATO summit, marking the first visit by a Canadian prime minister to Turkey since 2015. The two-day summit, scheduled for July 7 and 8, has been significantly scaled back from its usual format, with only a single session and a dinner planned instead of the traditional full schedule of meetings.
The downsized gathering reflects efforts to manage tensions within the alliance, particularly given U.S. President Donald Trump’s unpredictable approach to NATO and his tense relations with allied leaders. Kerry Buck, Canada’s former ambassador to NATO, described this year’s event as a “short, sweet summit” aimed at minimizing potential disruptions. She noted that hosting the summit in Turkey, a key NATO ally, could help temper President Trump’s penchant for confrontation, as he reportedly favors autocratic leaders to close allies.
The meeting follows the recent smooth conclusion of the G7 summit in France, and NATO members will focus on advancing their collective commitment to increase defense spending. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has emphasized the need for credible national plans to meet the alliance’s goal of allocating 5 percent of GDP to defense by 2035. Canadian officials stated that Carney will participate in discussions on defense sector financing and highlight Canada’s progress in boosting military expenditures. Details of his bilateral meetings remain under review.
Carney’s visit will also underscore Canada’s relationship with Turkey, a NATO member seen by Global Affairs Canada as an emerging market with opportunities across energy, agriculture, life sciences, mining, infrastructure, and defense sectors. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has supported Canada’s position that Europe should complement rather than duplicate NATO’s military role. Former Canadian military attaché Chris Kilford observed that while geopolitical tensions could complicate the Canada-Turkey relationship, current trends appear positive. Both countries are working to diversify trade partnerships to mitigate supply chain vulnerabilities, with Turkey expressing interest in Canadian nuclear technology as it seeks alternatives to Russian projects.
The bilateral relationship has experienced strains, particularly around historical and geopolitical issues. Canada’s recognition of the Armenian genocide, which Turkey denies, has been a longstanding point of contention. Ottawa suspended arms sales to Turkey seven years ago amid concerns that Canadian military components were being diverted to Azerbaijan for use against Armenians. Although export restrictions were tightened and later lifted, Canadian technology no longer equips Turkey’s Bayraktar drones; instead, countries like Ukraine have acquired such components.
Turkey has criticized Canada for granting asylum to political dissidents, labeling many as terrorists—a reflection of broader tensions given Turkey’s authoritarian tendencies. Critics also note Turkey’s record on human rights, including the suppression of LGBTQ+ events and media freedoms. Ahead of the summit, Ankara has seen heightened security, with extensive barricades deployed to facilitate official motorcades and restrict public protests. The country is grappling with high inflation and political crackdown, including interventions in its central bank and the jailing of opposition figures.
Despite these challenges, Kilford described Turkey as a strategically significant player amid regional instability stemming from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the collapse of the Syrian regime, and ongoing U.S. military actions against Iran. Carney’s trip will conclude in Saudi Arabia, where he aims to deepen bilateral trade and investment relations.