Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to travel to Turkiye next week to attend a NATO summit, followed by a visit to Saudi Arabia, the Prime Minister's Office confirmed Tuesday. The trip, scheduled for July 6-10, aims to strengthen Canada's role within the alliance and deepen bilateral relations with key Middle Eastern partners.
NATO Summit Agenda
The NATO summit, hosted in Ankara, will focus on collective defense commitments, ongoing support for Ukraine, and adaptation to emerging security challenges. Carney is expected to reaffirm Canada's pledge to meet the alliance's defense spending target of 2% of GDP by 2032, a commitment made under previous governments. According to a senior government official, Canada will also announce new contributions to NATO's deterrence and defense posture in Eastern Europe.
“Canada remains a steadfast ally, and this summit is an opportunity to demonstrate our leadership on shared security priorities,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The summit will also address cybersecurity and hybrid threats, areas where Canada has been increasing its capabilities.
Visit to Saudi Arabia
Following the NATO summit, Carney will travel to Riyadh for a two-day official visit. Discussions are expected to cover trade diversification, energy cooperation, and regional stability. Canada and Saudi Arabia have been working to rebuild ties after a diplomatic rift in 2018, and recent high-level exchanges have signaled a thaw. The visit will include meetings with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other senior officials.
“This visit underscores the importance of our economic partnership with Saudi Arabia, particularly in energy transition and technology,” said a spokesperson for Global Affairs Canada. Bilateral trade between the two countries reached $5.2 billion in 2025, with Canadian exports including machinery, aerospace products, and agricultural goods.
Strategic Implications
The trip comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions and Canada's efforts to balance its NATO commitments with expanding ties in the Middle East. Analysts note that the dual visit signals Canada's intent to play a more active role in both transatlantic and Gulf security dynamics. “Carney is positioning Canada as a reliable partner in multiple theaters,” said Dr. Sarah Khan, a foreign policy expert at the University of Ottawa. “The NATO summit reinforces collective defense, while the Saudi visit opens doors for economic and diplomatic gains.”
Carney is scheduled to return to Ottawa on July 11. The cost of the trip, including security and accommodations, is estimated at $1.2 million, according to government estimates.
