Turkey: Mecca Agreement is a complementary mechanism to the international security architecture, aimed at contributing to regional security and stability
Istanbul, Aug 13 (KUNA) -- A spokesperson for the Turkish Ministry of Defense said on Thursday that the Mecca Agreement for Joint Defense with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan serves as a complementary mechanism to the international security architecture, with its primary objective being to contribute to regional security and stability.
The Turkish Anadolu Agency quoted the spokesperson, Zeki Ak Turk, as saying during a media briefing at the ministry’s headquarters in the capital, Ankara, that the agreement, signed on August 7, aims to institutionalize and sustain the existing friendship and brotherhood among the three countries in the fields of defense and security.
He clarified that the core objective of the agreement is to contribute to regional security and stability, enhance military cooperation among the three nations, and strengthen their capacity for joint action in the face of potential crises. “The aforementioned agreement is of a defensive nature and does not designate any country as a common enemy or adversary,” he added.
The spokesperson noted that the agreement provides for the establishment of strategic political and military mechanisms involving the ministers of defense and foreign affairs, as well as the chiefs of staff of the armed forces, with coordination among the three countries at the highest level.
He pointed out that military cooperation is planned to be developed gradually, adding, “We aim to conduct joint exercises starting with command center drills and field maneuvers, progressing in later stages to exercises involving land, naval, and air forces, air defense systems, and unmanned systems.”
He explained that the purpose of these exercises is to identify needs and gaps before potential crises, transfer acquired expertise to training operations, and continuously develop the capacity to conduct joint operations.
Ak Turk highlighted that cooperation in the defense industry represents one of the important elements of the agreement. “In this context, we aim not only for the supply of products and systems, but also for joint development and production, technological cooperation, and providing sustainable support in maintenance and logistics,” he said.
He emphasized that independent and unmanned systems, electronic warfare, and AI-enabled capabilities are at the forefront of priority areas for cooperation.
“The Mecca Agreement for Joint Defense does not represent an alternative or competitor to NATO; rather, it establishes itself as a complementary mechanism to the international security architecture through its contribution to regional security and stability,” he added.
He noted that as this mechanism matures, the accession of other countries could be studied, provided the necessary consensus is reached.
“Our ultimate goal is to create an institutional mechanism that operates effectively in peacetime, is prepared for potential crises, and is capable of providing tangible military support when needed. We believe this cooperation will make a significant contribution not only to the security of our countries but also to regional peace, stability, and deterrence.”
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif signed the joint defense agreement among the three countries in Mecca last Friday. (End)
