Turkey says roadmap underway for new members to join 'Mecca Pact'

Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan are crafting a roadmap to facilitate the entry of additional nations into the Mecca Pact, according to Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. The trio disclosed this plan following their inaugural meeting of the Political and Defense Strategic Committee. Fidan clarified during a press briefing that the Mecca Agreement has been officially renamed the Mecca Pact.

He emphasized that the alliance operates on a defense-focused principle, serving as a complement to NATO. The three nations are currently laying the groundwork for the pact's core structure. Fidan further explained that Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan have initiated measures to establish a regional security framework. Additionally, they are developing a roadmap to permit other countries to join the pact, stressing the importance of regional cooperation for maintaining peace.

Fidan characterized the establishment of the Mecca Pact as a historic milestone, highlighting discussions on international security matters, defense capability enhancement, and improved interoperability among the armed forces of the involved nations. The meeting also covered expanding defense industry cooperation, encompassing joint production and research, as well as bolstering joint efforts against terrorism, according to Turkey's official news agency Anadolu.

The Saudi delegation consisted of Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman, Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, and Chief of General Staff Fayyad Al-Ruwaili. Turkish representatives included Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Defense Minister Yasar Guler, and Chief of General Staff Selcuk Bayraktaroglu. The Pakistani delegation featured Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister of Defense Khawaja Muhammad Asif, and Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir.