ISTANBUL, June 9 (Reuters) – The trade ministers of Turkey and Canada ‌have agreed to launch ‌exploratory discussions aimed at concluding a free trade ​agreement, according to a joint ministerial statement on Tuesday.

The statement said Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat and ‌Canada’s Minister ⁠of International Trade Maninder Sidhu had met to advance ⁠the strong and growing economic partnership between the two countries.

“They agreed ​to launch ​exploratory discussions ​toward a free ‌trade agreement, a step that reflects the ambition of both countries to unlock the full potential of the commercial partnership,” the statement said.

It ‌said they identified ​energy as a promising ​area for ​expanded cooperation and agreed ‌to explore opportunities in ​renewable energy, ​as well as in nuclear energy, including the potential of ​Canadian CANDU ‌technology to support Turkey’s diversification ​goals.

(Reporting by Can Sezer; Editing ​by Daren Butler)