Canada to restart arms exports after Turkey backs Sweden joining NATO: sources

Canada and Turkey have reached a deal to restart Canadian exports of drone parts in exchange for more transparency on where they are used, and it would take effect after Ankara completes its ratification of Sweden's NATO bid, two sources have told Reuters.

After 20 months of delay, Turkey moved swiftly this week to endorse Sweden's membership in the western military alliance through a parliamentary vote and presidential sign-off, leaving Hungary as the sole ally yet to ratify it.

Turkey is expected to send the final documents to Washington as soon as Friday, which would clear the way for Canada to immediately lift the export controls that it adopted in 2020, the two sources said, requesting anonymity.

The agreement was reached in early January after months of talks, said one person familiar with the process. A second person familiar with the plan said the sides agreed it would take effect after Sweden's ratification is complete.

Turkey's foreign ministry declined to comment.

Canadian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Charlotte MacLeod told Reuters that while the export controls remain in place, Ottawa aims to resolve the issue with Turkey given its status as a NATO ally.

«Canada and Turkey continue to engage in frank exchanges on our bilateral, economic and commercial relations,» she said.

Sweden's lengthy bid process frustrated some NATO members due to what they viewed as Turkey's transactional approach, which led to concessions from Stockholm and other allies regarding arms exports and counterterrorism measures.

U.S. leaders have said Turkey's ratification of Sweden's NATO membership clears the way for Ankara's long-sought purchase of U.S. F-16 fighter jets.

Canada suspended drone technology sales to Turkey in 2020 after concluding