Carney met Türkiye’s defense industry leaders during his visit

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met President of Defense Industries Haluk Görgün, ASELSAN General Manager Ahmet Akyol and Baykar General Manager Haluk Bayraktar during his visit to Türkiye. Photos of the meeting were shared for the first time.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met leading figures from Türkiye’s defense industry during his visit to Türkiye last week. Carney held talks with President of Defense Industries Haluk Görgün, ASELSAN General Manager Ahmet Akyol and Baykar General Manager Haluk Bayraktar. Photos of the meeting were shared for the first time.

Carney'nin Türk savunma sanayii yöneticileriyle görüşmesi

Journalist Kenan Taş said the meeting also addressed the possibility of Canada procuring Turkish-made unmanned aerial vehicles. However, no official order or contract has been announced on the matter.

Defense industry agreement

Görüşmeden bir kare

Following President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s meeting with Carney on October 22, President of Defense Industries Haluk Görgün and Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at increasing partnerships between the two countries’ defense companies. During the visit, relations between the two countries were elevated to the level of a strategic partnership, and agreements were signed in the fields of defense, air transport and energy.

Carney said Türkiye meets approximately 80 percent of its defense needs through domestic means, adding, “That is not the case in Canada. We have much to learn.” Canada is seeking to use Türkiye’s Presidency of Defense Industries model as an example to indigenize its defense industry and reduce its defense dependence on the United States.

President Erdoğan also said in remarks following a Cabinet Meeting that negotiations for a free trade agreement with Canada would begin before the end of the year. He said the two countries aimed to increase their trade volume, currently around $3 billion, first to $5 billion and then to $10 billion.

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