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Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan sign the "Makkah Agreement for Joint Defense"
Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan on Friday signed the "Makkah Agreement for Joint Defense" during a summit held in Makkah attended by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Ankara said in a post on X that the agreement is based on the principle of "collective deterrence" and includes enhanced security and defense cooperation, development of joint projects in the defense industries, and coordination in counterterrorism efforts. The statement affirmed the right of states to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter, stressed that the agreement "is not aimed at any state," and said it is open to other countries seeking peace and stability in the region.
The Pakistani prime minister described the agreement as a "pivotal moment" in cooperation among brotherly countries bound by mutual trust and a shared destiny, noting the historical and symbolic significance of signing it in the precincts of Makkah near the Two Holy Mosques. Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman said the agreement establishes a framework for a long-term defense partnership that enhances deterrence, coordination and integration among the countries to help support regional and global security and stability.
Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister for Public Diplomacy Raed Karmali stressed that the agreement does not represent an effort to form a military bloc or a sectarian/religious alliance, is not linked to nuclear ambitions or an arms race, and instead aims to build sustainable self-reliant capabilities.
