Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan sign Mecca joint defense pact

Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan on Friday signed the "Mecca Joint Defense Agreement" during a summit hosted in Mecca at the invitation of King Salman bin Abdulaziz.

According to a joint statement, the summit was held at the Royal Court in Al-Safa Palace, where Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman received Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.

The leaders reviewed the strong ties between the three countries and discussed several issues of mutual concern, affirming their historical bonds, Islamic solidarity and shared strategic interests.

Objectives of the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement

The statement said the agreement aims to strengthen collective deterrence against any aggression, stipulating that an armed attack on any of the three nations would be considered an attack on all. It also focuses on developing all aspects of defense cooperation among them.

The leaders emphasized the importance of the agreement in enhancing security, peace and stability in the region and the world, seeking a secure and prosperous future for their countries and peoples.