Pakistan: (Mecca Pact for Joint Defense) agreement remains open to any country in the region

Islamabad, Aug 9 (KUNA) -- Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar affirmed on Sunday that the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement remains open to any country in the region wishing to adhere to its fundamental principles and resolve differences through mutual respect and cooperation by peaceful means.

In a statement regarding the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, signed between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey, Dar said the pact reflects the deep fraternal relations linking the leaderships and peoples of the three countries. He added that the agreement is the fruit of years of consultations and coordination, driven by a shared desire to enhance strategic cooperation to address various peace and security challenges and to advance the process of regional peace, stability, and prosperity. He clarified that the agreement “does not nullify or replace any existing bilateral or multilateral agreements between these countries or between them and other states or organizations.”

The Pakistani Foreign Minister noted that “any external armed attack on any of the three countries will be considered an attack on all of them, in accordance with the inherent right of individual or collective self-defense under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.” He pointed out that the Mecca Agreement is “of a purely defensive nature and not directed against any state,” with its sole objective being “to enhance our ongoing efforts to achieve peace, stability, and prosperity throughout the region.”

Dar stated that the agreement “aligns with the fundamental pillars of our foreign policy,” expressing Pakistan’s aspiration to continue working closely with all countries in the region to achieve lasting peace and stability. He reaffirmed the commitment to continue “advancing the peaceful resolution of all conflicts and building a safer, more stable, and prosperous future for our peoples.” (End) S.B.K / F.S