Turkey Says Regional Defence Pact Not Against Any Country
The pact is open to more Muslim-majority members as officials work on a framework for new accessions, Pakistan’s foreign minister said.
- On Monday, top officials from Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan gathered in Istanbul for the inaugural meeting of the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, signed August 7. The pact establishes collective deterrence among the three Sunni Muslim allies against regional threats.
- Designed to strengthen collective deterrence, the alliance stipulates that an armed attack against any of the three members constitutes an attack against all. The pact reflects shared concerns regarding the ongoing Iran war and recent Iranian missile fire on Gulf oil exporters.
- Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar reported over the weekend that six to seven Muslim-majority nations have expressed interest in joining the framework. Bangladesh is the latest country to signal openness to the alliance, which officials are working to expand.
- Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan directed sharp criticism at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling him 'this criminal' who must be stopped. Fidan said Netanyahu's approach causes 'immense harm to Israel, to Palestine, and to the entire region' by opposing Palestinian statehood.
- President Trump praised the agreement, calling it a bold first step for regional defense. Turkish officials indicated the alliance remains open to further expansion, noting Egypt as a potential partner alongside the current three member nations.
53 Articles
53 Articles
In order not to leave the vacuum to others, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have founded a new alliance. Now it came together for the first time. By Moritz Batscheider.
NEW DEFENSE ALLIANCE: Turkey, Saudi Arabia And Pakistan Hold First Meeting As More Muslim Countries Eye Joining Pact
Senior officials from Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan gathered in Istanbul on Monday for the first meeting of the newly established Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, as several additional Muslim-majority countries reportedly consider joining the alliance. The defense pact was signed on August 7 by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman […]
Turkey has shown itself to be open to the inclusion of other countries in a defence agreement with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
Turkey says regional defence pact not against any country
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan's remarks came after the first ministerial meeting of the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement which commits Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to mutual defence in the event of any of them being attacked. "This alliance is founded on international principles such as respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states and non-interference in their internal affairs," he told reporters in Istanbul after they met in…
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