Turkish President: Mecca Joint Defense Agreement Enhances Security Cooperation and Does Not Target Any Country

Istanbul, August 7 (KUNA) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday that the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement will contribute to enhancing security and defense cooperation among the three countries (Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan), emphasizing that it is based on the principle of collective deterrence and does not target any state.

Erdogan added in a post on his X social media platform, following his signing of the agreement with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Mecca, that it will also contribute to developing joint projects in the defense industry, alongside supporting counter-terrorism efforts, thereby enhancing the security and stability of the region.

He noted that the agreement affirms the right of self-defense stipulated in Article 51 of the UN Charter, pointing out that his country “will continue its principled stance toward resolving conflicts and crises through dialogue and diplomacy, based on respect for international law.”

He affirmed that the agreement does not target any state and aims to achieve security, well-being, and stability in the region, clarifying that it is open to the accession of “sister states.”

Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan signed the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement in Mecca earlier on Friday, reflecting the three countries’ commitment to strengthening their common security and achieving peace, security, and stability in the region and the world, with the goal of a secure and prosperous future.

The agreement aims to enhance collective deterrence against any aggression and stipulates that any armed attack on any of the three countries constitutes an attack on all of them. It also focuses on developing various aspects of defense cooperation among them. (End) T.A. / M.A. H.A.