Egypt Considering Joining Makkah Mutual Defence Pact with Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye

CAIRO: Egypt has begun seriously considering joining the Makkah Mutual Defence Pact signed between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty has said.

Speaking about the proposed agreement, Abdelatty said Egypt maintained deep and special relations with all three countries, extending beyond the political sphere.

Asked about Egypt’s possible participation in the Makkah defence pact, the Egyptian foreign minister said Cairo had been aware of the agreement from the outset. He added that the matter was currently undergoing a comprehensive review by relevant Egyptian state institutions before a final decision could be taken.

Abdelatty stressed that Egypt needed to fully assess the defence agreements and the responsibilities associated with them in accordance with the country’s Constitution and legal requirements.

A few days earlier, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye signed a mutual defence agreement under which an attack against one of the three countries would be considered an attack against all three.

Egypt’s potential participation would further broaden the scope of the emerging regional defence cooperation framework.