Historic Joint Defence Agreement Signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye
MAKKAH: Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye have signed a historic joint defence agreement in Makkah, marking a new phase in defence cooperation among the three countries.
Under the agreement, an armed attack against any one of the three member states will be considered an attack against all three countries. The agreement is being described as a significant development towards strengthening collective security, defence cooperation, peace and stability in the region.
The agreement was reached during a high-level joint defence summit held in Makkah on the invitation of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz. Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attended the summit at Al-Safa Palace, where the Saudi Crown Prince welcomed the Pakistani prime minister and Turkish president.
The leaders held detailed discussions on bilateral and trilateral relations, shared strategic interests, regional security, defence cooperation and other matters of mutual interest.
They expressed their resolve to further strengthen their historic, fraternal and Islamic solidarity-based relations and expand their defence partnership.
At the conclusion of the summit, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed the joint defence agreement.
Under the agreement, any external aggression or armed attack against one member country will be regarded as an attack against all three, triggering a collective response based on the principle of joint defence.
The agreement also provides for enhanced cooperation in various areas of defence, including military training, defence technology, intelligence cooperation, joint exercises, security matters and strengthening defence capabilities.
The three countries reaffirmed their commitment to playing a joint role in promoting peace, security and stability in the region and to further strengthening their collective defence capabilities against all forms of aggression.
According to the Foreign Office spokesperson, the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement is rooted in the longstanding fraternal ties, Islamic solidarity and strategic cooperation between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.
The spokesperson said the agreement reflects the three countries’ shared defence interests, commitment to regional security and common vision for a secure and prosperous future, while formally opening a new era of defence partnership among the three countries.
