Carney tours Kariye Mosque in Istanbul before departing Turkey

ISTANBUL — Prime Minister Mark Carney wrapped up a three-day trip to Turkey today by touring a mosque in Istanbul.

Carney visited the Kariye Mosque, a former Byzantine church known for its beautiful frescoes and mosaics.

The tour marks the end of the first bilateral visit by a Canadian prime minister to Turkey — a trip aimed at deepening diplomatic and economic ties with the NATO ally.

Carney and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan forged a new strategic partnership between Canada and Turkey after meeting in Ankara.

That agreement will see the two countries collaborate more closely in fields like defence and energy and sets the stage for Canada and Turkey to begin free-trade talks in the coming weeks.

Carney is flying back to Ottawa later today and is expected to land early Saturday evening.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 24, 2026.

Craig Lord, The Canadian Press