ANKARA, Turkiye - Prime Minister Mark Carney was given a personalized, engraved pistol and live ammunition by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as he departed the NATO summit in Ankara on Wednesday.
The Prime Minister’s Office confirmed all NATO leaders received the unusual gift from Erdogan.
Global Affairs Canada said in a statement to reporters travelling with Carney that the gun has been turned over to the RCMP.
“The gift in question was provided to every NATO leader and is being transferred to the possession of the RCMP for decommissioning. The ammunition remained in Türkiye,” the statement said.
“All official gifts are handled in accordance with applicable Canadian laws, security requirements and government policies.”
A senior government source, speaking on background, said the gun could eventually be donated.
“Following guidance from Canadian authorities, the government will look to find an appropriate placement for the gift, including at a museum.”
The United Kingdom’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer told reporters on his flight home Wednesday, that the guns were inscribed with the name of each leader, accompanied with a box of ammunition.
Starmer said he had to leave his gift in Turkiye because importing it would be illegal, despite a letter from Erdogan lifting export controls on the guns.
