Turkey hosts the first meeting of the Strategic Committee of the Mecca Agreement for Joint Defense today

The Turkish city of Istanbul is hosting today the inaugural meeting of the Strategic Political and Defense Committee, established under the “Mecca Agreement for Joint Defense” signed by Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan on August 7.

Anadolu Agency reported that sources in the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Saudi Foreign Minister, His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan, and his Turkish and Pakistani counterparts, Hakan Fisidoglu and Muhammad Ishaq Dar, are expected to attend the meeting.

Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler, along with his Saudi counterpart, His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Salman, and his Pakistani counterpart, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, will also participate, alongside the Chief of the Turkish General Staff, Selcuk Bayraktaroglu, and his Saudi and Pakistani counterparts, Fayyad bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili and Asim Munir.

The first meeting of the Strategic Political and Defense Committee, hosted by Turkey, will bring together the foreign and defense ministers and chiefs of general staff of the three countries. The committee is tasked with setting the strategic direction for activities to be implemented under the “Mecca Agreement for Joint Defense.”

The meeting will address international security issues, as well as explore ways to enhance defense capabilities and strengthen interoperability among the armed forces of the three countries. Participants will also discuss ways to deepen cooperation in the defense industry, including joint production, research, and development, as well as to bolster joint efforts in combating terrorism.

The meeting is expected to outline the general framework for the Secretariat and other related mechanisms that will guide work in areas of joint activity determined by the Strategic Political and Defense Committee, along with establishing a roadmap for steps to be taken in the coming period.

The meeting provides an opportunity to reaffirm that the “Mecca Agreement” offers significant opportunities for countries aiming to enhance security, peace, and stability in the region, adopting a security approach based on cooperation in addressing issues and prioritizing peace and well-being over conflict.

Notably, the Mecca Agreement for Joint Defense is part of a defensive cooperation aimed at strengthening commitments to maintaining peace, stability, and well-being at both the regional and global levels, based on the principle of burden-sharing and a shared understanding of security. The agreement aims to enhance collective deterrence against any act of aggression and stipulates that any armed attack on any of the three countries will be considered an attack on all of them.