Istanbul to host tomorrow, Monday, the first meeting of the Mecca Convention for Joint Defense Committee
Istanbul, August 30 (KUNA) -- Istanbul will host tomorrow, Monday, 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. According to sources in the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the meeting will be attended by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and his Saudi and Pakistani counterparts, Faisal bin Farhan and Ishaq Dar. Also participating are Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler, his Saudi counterpart Khalid bin Salman, and his Pakistani counterpart Khawaja Muhammad Asif, alongside Turkish Chief of the General Staff Salih Cakir and his Saudi and Pakistani counterparts, Fayez bin Hamad 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 and explore ways to enhance defense capabilities and improve 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 strengthen 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, as well as to establish a roadmap for steps to be taken in the coming period. The meeting provides an opportunity to reaffirm that the Mecca Agreement offers important 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.
On August 7, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif signed the Joint Defense Agreement in Mecca. The agreement is part of a defensive cooperation aimed at strengthening commitments to maintain 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 aggressive act and stipulates that any armed attack on any of the three countries will be considered an attack on all of them. (End) T.A./A.M.H.
