Turkish Foreign Minister: Mecca Agreement Launched Process of Building New Security and Cooperation Architecture in the Region

Istanbul, August 31 (KUNA) -- Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Monday that with the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, a process has begun to create a new architecture for security and cooperation in the region. He made these remarks during a press conference following the first meeting of the Political and Strategic Defense Committee of the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, signed between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan. Fidan added that the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement was built on the basis of keeping the door open for expansion, emphasizing that “thanks to the Mecca Defense Alliance, we will witness a growing consolidation of stability in the region and a decline in uncertainty.” At the same time, Fidan stressed that this alliance does not cancel existing commitments under NATO or any other alliances, clarifying that the alliance was primarily established to allow for future expansion but first requires laying solid and firm foundations. Fidan noted that Egypt’s accession to the Mecca Alliance is possible, subject to the specified conditions and stages of membership. The first meeting of the Strategic and Defense Committee stemming from the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement began today in Istanbul, with the participation of foreign and defense ministers and chiefs of staff from Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan. (End) T.A. / M.A. K.