Egypt could join Pak-Saudi-Turkiye defence pact once technical issues resolved, says Turkish foreign minister

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan expressed optimism on Saturday about Egypt potentially joining a defense pact involving Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia, contingent upon resolving certain technical matters. Speaking to Anadolu news agency, Fidan noted that Egypt had already been considered a natural partner by the three nations, and that they were already acting as if they were alliance members.

The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, signed in Saudi Arabia on Friday, seeks to enhance collective deterrence and stipulates that an attack against one member would be considered an attack against all. Fidan likened this pact to NATO's Article 5, which obliges members to come to the aid of an attacked ally, including potential military intervention.

However, he clarified that the Makkah pact's language contained general commitments that would be translated into practical actions through discussions among relevant bodies. Assistance requests from a member country would specify the type of support needed, which could range from intelligence and logistics to ammunition or, if required, military units, depending on the threat level.

The signatories emphasized that the pact would not target any specific country, including Iran, but was intended to strengthen the security of its members. The three nations, Fidan stated, have diverse capabilities but share a common goal of regional stability. The pact is expected to be operational under a committee comprising foreign and defense ministers, similar to NATO's structures, with a secretariat based in Saudi Arabia to implement decisions and carry out related tasks.

The committee would meet regularly, and a permanent secretariat would be established to oversee its operations. Joint exercises and training would be essential to ensure compatibility among the member countries' military systems, Fidan added.