Carney Signs Turkey Pact, Rejects U.S. Election Claims

Prime Minister Mark Carney dismissed formal accusations of election interference by the United States on Friday, calling the claims without merit during a press conference in Turkey.

The remarks came at the conclusion of a two-day trip during which Carney signed a strategic partnership with the administration of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The agreement marks a concrete step in the government's effort to reduce Canada's reliance on the U.S. market and broaden its trading network.

Carney framed the deal through the lens of values-based realism, a doctrine he has previously described as accepting that not all international partners share Canadian values.

"Engagement in those partnerships does not mean approval," Carney said, noting that very few nations on the planet match Canada's specific standards.

The partnership was signed against a backdrop of heightened scrutiny regarding Turkey's domestic policies. This month, Turkish authorities conducted several high-profile operations that critics say aimed to silence opposition voices and restrict independent journalism.

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand raised human rights concerns with her Turkish counterpart in meetings on Thursday, according to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office.

When asked if he personally addressed these issues with Erdogan during their separate meeting, Carney declined to provide specific details.

"My approach on these issues is I have direct conversations with leaders," he said, adding that he finds such talks more effective when they are direct and open rather than reported in detail.

Economic interests drove much of the agenda. After political talks in Ankara, Carney held a series of meetings with business leaders in Istanbul.

A key focus was the potential sale of Canadian nuclear technology to Turkey to help meet its climate goals.

Carney stated there are good chances that AtkinsRealis, a Canadian engineering firm, will be selected to partner in the construction of two power plants currently in the planning stages for Turkey. This deal follows similar engagements with other nations with mixed human rights records, such as recent discussions with Saudi Arabia, as part of a broader strategy that has previously concentrated on Europe and the Indo-Pacific region.