The Mecca Defence Alliance formally took its first institutional decisions at a meeting in Istanbul, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has announced as Türkiye, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia agreed to establish a secretariat under the pact.
In a post on Turkish social media platform NSosyal on Monday, Fidan commented on the first meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee, established under the Mecca Defence Agreement, held in Istanbul.
“Today, together with our Pakistani and Saudi brothers, we formally took the first institutional decisions of the Mecca Defence Alliance at the Strategic Political and Defence Committee meeting we held in Istanbul,” Fidan said.
“We thank all the officials who contributed. May it once again be auspicious for our region,” he added.
The foreign and defence ministers, along with the chiefs of general staff of Türkiye, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, met in Istanbul on Monday in the format of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee established under the Mecca Defence Agreement.
A joint statement
Türkiye, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia agreed to take steps to further institutionalise their cooperation under the Mecca Agreement for Joint Defence, according to a joint statement issued after the meeting.
“Acting with a sense of regional ownership, the three countries reiterate their determination to work together within the framework of the Mecca Agreement to achieve sustainable peace and stability in their region,” the statement said.
“To that end, they will continue to support efforts towards de-escalation and restraint to encourage peaceful resolution of crises,” it added.
The three countries agreed to further institutionalise their cooperation “in a manner that would enhance their solidarity, ensure the credibility and effectiveness of their collective deterrence and defence, and contribute to the regional efforts and cooperative security towards a just, inclusive and lasting peace.”
‘Essential contributions’
The statement also announced the establishment of a secretariat in Saudi Arabia to support work carried out under the agreement.
“A Secretariat, headed by a Secretary General, will be established in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to support their work within the framework of the Mecca Agreement,” it said.
The secretariat will initially be headed by a secretary general from Pakistan for a three-year term.
The three countries also agreed to strengthen their defence capabilities and the cohesion of their armed forces through joint activities.
“Through joint activities, they will also work to strengthen their defence capabilities and cohesion of their armed forces through robust defence industry cooperation, joint technology development and production,” the statement said.
It added that through the “institutionalised and resolute implementation” of the Mecca Agreement, the three countries would “provide essential contributions to regional peace and stability.”
