Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney will meet President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Türkiye on Thursday, in the first bilateral visit by a Canadian leader, as he seeks to expand trade ties and reduce reliance on the ‌United States, Reuters reported.

Carney and Erdogan are expected to sign a declaration deepening cooperation in four areas including defense and energy, Reuters reported, citing a person briefed on the matter.

A Turkish diplomatic source said the bilateral ties will be upgraded to a “strategic partnership.”

Carney’s office said the visit aims “to position Canada as a key partner in trade and investment”. He is expected to meet with prominent Turkish business leaders during the trip, the Turkish diplomatic source said.