Turkish Foreign Minister: Egypt may join the 'Mecca Agreement' once technical issues are resolved

- The Joint Defense Agreement Equals Article 5 of the NATO Charter

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that the "Mecca Agreement for Joint Defense" between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan is equivalent to Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) charter, adding that Egypt could join the agreement once certain technical issues are resolved.

Fidan clarified that the agreement includes the formation of a ministerial committee, similar to mechanisms in place within NATO, emphasizing that it does not target anyone as long as it does not attack member states.

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Regarding maritime cooperation, the Turkish Foreign Minister stressed the importance of Turkey’s participation in the Saudi-led Maritime Defense Coalition, affirming that the security of navigation in the Red Sea is vital to Turkish interests.