Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan Sign Defense Pact

An agreement on regional defense has been signed by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey, according to Turkey’s foreign minister. This pact is not aimed against Iran or any other nation, but rather aims to enhance regional stability.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif formalized the agreement in Mecca. Known as the “Mecca Joint Defense Agreement,” it stipulates that an attack on one of the signatories is regarded as an attack on all three.

The agreement unites oil-rich Saudi Arabia, nuclear-armed Pakistan, and Turkey, which possesses NATO’s second-largest army and a burgeoning defense industry. It aims to enhance cooperation and deterrence in a region experiencing instability and threats, notably from the conflict involving Iran.

Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, speaking to Anadolu Agency, explained that the trio does not consider any nation as a foe unless it engages in hostile activities against them. “We haven’t documented any common adversary,” Fidan said. “A nation that refrains from attack is not seen as a target.”

Fidan elaborated that the agreement’s mutual defense principle is similar to NATO’s Article 5, which treats an assault on one member as an assault on all. When questioned about the implementation, Fidan indicated that support would be provided only upon a formal request by a member. Assistance could include intelligence sharing, logistical aid, or military deployment based on the threat level.

“The approach depends on the complexity of the threat,” Fidan noted. “We are following this framework in our current efforts.” He also disclosed that unnamed countries have shown interest in the pact, and expressed confidence that Egypt, which he sees as a “natural partner,” may join in the future.

As part of this pact, the foreign and defense ministers, along with military chiefs from each country, will convene regularly. The agreement also plans for a secretariat, positioned in Saudi Arabia, as detailed by Fidan.