The new alliance formed under the Mecca defense pact is holding its first ministerial-level meeting today, Monday. The meeting is expected to discuss the international security situation. Related sources say the three countries under the pact may also discuss mutual security cooperation.
The “Mecca Joint Defense Agreement” was signed earlier this month. Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed the agreement. Under it, if any one country is attacked, the others will jointly provide defense assistance.
The defense alliance was formed primarily against the backdrop of the US-Israel war with Iran and attacks by Tehran-backed Houthi rebels.
The alliance’s first meeting is set to take place today in Istanbul, Turkey. Officials from Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan will attend. Turkish foreign ministry sources disclosed this information Sunday.
Sources said the “Strategic Political and Defense Committee,” formed under the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, is meeting today.
Who is attending
Turkish foreign ministry sources said Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will attend today’s meeting. Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler and army chief General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu are also expected to attend.
Citing its foreign ministry, Pakistani media report that Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will attend today’s Mecca defense pact meeting. He will be joined by Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif and army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir. They have already arrived in Turkey.
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman and army chief General Fayyad bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili are also reported to be attending today’s meeting.
What will be discussed
Related sources say today’s meeting could see discussion of the international security situation among the three countries. Alongside this, discussions may also cover boosting the three countries’ defense capabilities and further strengthening coordination among their armed forces.
Boosting cooperation in the defense industry will also be an important focus of today’s meeting, including joint weapons production and research and development activities. Strengthening joint counterterrorism efforts is also on the agenda.
Today’s meeting may also outline a secretariat and other necessary structures to manage the areas the Strategic Political and Defense Committee jointly decides to work on under the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement.
The alliance is also expected to set an action plan for what steps it will take going forward.
Through the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, Turkey, the second-largest military power in the Western military alliance NATO, has joined forces with Pakistan, the only nuclear-armed country in the Muslim world, and Saudi Arabia, an influential country in the Gulf region.
Bangladesh has already expressed interest in joining this alliance. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir said Sunday that discussions on the Mecca agreement are under way with Saudi Arabia and Turkey. He said both countries have a positive stance on Bangladesh’s inclusion in the agreement, and that the government sees no risk in Bangladesh joining.