Relations between Turkiye and Canada have entered a new and better phase, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said.

Axar.az reports, citing Anadolu, that following talks with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Ankara, Erdogan said dialogue between Ankara and Ottawa had been elevated to the level of a strategic partnership.

"One of the most concrete outcomes of this visit was undoubtedly our decision to elevate relations with Canada to the level of a strategic partnership. With the contribution of this strategic partnership, we aim to implement new projects in many fields in the coming period, including energy, trade, transport and the defence industry," Erdogan said.

Erdogan also announced that the two countries had adopted an Action Plan outlining concrete steps to deepen cooperation.

"First, with a view to increasing trade and investment, we agreed to begin negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement before the end of the year. In parallel with this process, we will make more effective use of existing mechanisms, including the Joint Economic and Trade Committee, to address all aspects of our economic relations," he added.