Saudi Arabia to host the secretariat of the Mecca Agreement, with Pakistan assuming the presidency for the first three years
The Strategic Political and Defense Committee of the Mecca Agreement for Joint Defense announced that the three countries, in light of their commitment to fulfilling their regional responsibilities, reaffirmed their resolve to work together under the Mecca Agreement to achieve lasting peace and stability in their region.
Foreign ministers, defense ministers, heads of defense forces, and chiefs of general staff from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Republic of Turkey, and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan met today in Istanbul as part of the Strategic Political and Defense Committee established under the Mecca Agreement for Joint Defense.
In a press statement, the committee said that, to this end, the three countries would continue to support efforts aimed at de-escalation and restraint, thereby encouraging peaceful resolution of crises.
The statement added that the three countries agreed today to take further steps to institutionalize their cooperation under the Mecca Agreement, thereby enhancing their solidarity and ensuring the credibility and effectiveness of collective deterrence and defense, while contributing to regional efforts and cooperative security aimed at achieving a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace.
It noted that a secretariat, headed by a secretary-general, would be established in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to support the work of the three countries under the Mecca Agreement. In its initial phase, the secretariat would be led by a secretary-general from the Islamic Republic of Pakistan for a term of three years.
The three countries would strengthen their defense capabilities and cohesion of their armed forces through joint activities, based on robust cooperation in the defense industry and the development of joint production and technologies.
Through the serious and institutional implementation of the Mecca Agreement, the three countries would make essential contributions to regional peace and stability.
