UPDATE - Turkish, Canadian foreign ministers discuss energy, trade, defense

ADDS ANAND'S STATEMENT, EDITS THOROUGH

By Yasin Gungor

ISTANBUL (AA) - Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met his Canadian counterpart, Anita Anand, in Ankara on Thursday to discuss cooperation in energy, commerce, and defense.

The two ministers exchanged views on pressing international security matters, including the Russia-Ukraine war, "stability in the Black Sea and developments in the Middle East," Anand said on US social media company X following the talks.

She said the talks focused on steps to deepen collaboration, and that both sides worked to advance cooperation in energy, trade and defense.

"From our meetings in Canada to my third visit to Türkiye since becoming Foreign Minister, our engagement reflects a shared determination to strengthen a relationship of growing strategic importance," Anand added.

The exchange coincided with a visit to Türkiye by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to elevate ties to a strategic partnership.

Anand signed two key bilateral accords on behalf of Ottawa — a memorandum of understanding on defense industry partnerships alongside an air transport agreement.

Muhammed Yasin Güngör,Zehra Nur Çelik