Canada unfreezes talks with Türkiye on arms export controls

Ottawa, The Gulf Observer: Canada has unfrozen talks with Türkiye on lifting export controls on drone parts after Ankara gave its nod for Sweden to join NATO, a person familiar with the talks said, a move seen as one of several concessions won in exchange for the Turkish blessing.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s decision, announced ahead of a North Atlantic Treaty Organization [NATO] summit in Vilnius, was followed quickly by a statement from Washington that the United States would move ahead with a transfer of F-16 fighter jets in consultation with Congress.

In a potentially significant move for Türkiye’s defence industry, NATO member Canada agreed to re-open talks on lifting export controls on drone parts, including optical equipment, the person familiar with the talks said, declining to be identified because they were not authorised to discuss details with media.

Canada suspended the export of some drone technology to Türkiye in 2020 after concluding the equipment had been used by Azerbaijan’s forces fighting Armenia in Karabakh war.

Those export controls, which “were imposed for important reasons,” remain in place, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office said in a statement.

“The Prime Minister discussed Sweden’s accession to NATO with our partners in Vilnius, including with President Erdogan,” the statement said.

“Canada remains committed to the principle that there should be no restrictions, barriers or sanctions to defence trade and investments among Allies.”