Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Pakistan have agreed on practical steps to establish a security "architecture" within the framework of the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement, which aims to achieve stability and prosperity in the region.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stressed that the agreement will lead to greater stability and prosperity, and reduce uncertainty in the region, adding that “the process of testing a new architecture for security and cooperation in our region has begun with this agreement."
He made his statements at the conclusion of the first meeting of the Strategic Political and Defense Committee established under the Makkah agreement in Istanbul.
He described the Makkah agreement as a "historic step," emphasizing that the countries of the region need to move together to establish peace.
The alliance reinforces the concept of working to solve the region's problems through its own nations, rather than through foreign interventions that have deepened and intensified these problems, he remarked.
Speaking at a press conference after the talks, Fidan said: "With the implementation of the agreement, we will witness greater stability in the region, ambiguity will decrease, and the positions of active players will become clear."
"This alliance is founded on international principles such as respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states and non-interference in their internal affairs," he stated.
"The alliance is not against any state and is open to all states in our region that adhere to these fundamental principles," he said.
Asked if other countries could join the pact, Fidan said it was "indeed possible", but stressed consultations were ongoing to determine conditions, procedures and standards for membership.
"We are also working on a roadmap regarding the processes of joining the alliance," he added.
Fidan added: "The Makkah Joint Defense Agreement has been signed, and its objective is indeed to expand, but initially, the foundations must be solidly laid and it must be fully institutionalized."
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, just like Türkiye, attach utmost importance to this matter, he noted.
The scope of the agreement will be expanded to include other countries, with the approval of the three nations and through a gradual process. "We are currently seeking to complete the most difficult stage of the process, which is the foundational stage, together."
Present at the meeting were Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, Chief of General Staff General Fayyadh bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Chief of Defense Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Turkish FM Fidan, Defense Minister Yasar Guler, and Chief of General Staff General Selcuk Bayraktaroglu.
