First committee meeting of the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement begins in Istanbul

The first meeting of the Strategic Political and Defense Committee, formed under the scope of the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, has begun in Istanbul. Hosted by Turkey, the meeting aims to provide strategic direction for the activities to be carried out within the framework of the agreement.

The meeting commenced following a family photo session. The Turkish delegation includes Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan, Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler, and Chief of General Staff General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu.

The Pakistani delegation includes Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister of Defense Khawaja Muhammad Asif, and Chief of Army Staff General Asım Münir. The Saudi Arabian delegation consists of Minister of Foreign Affairs Faisal bin Farhan, Minister of Defense Khalid bin Salman, and Chief of General Staff General Fayyadh bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili.

The discussions will address international security topics, as well as the development of defense capabilities, increasing interoperability between the armed forces of the three countries, and deepening cooperation in joint production and research and development in the defense industry.

Strengthening joint efforts in the fight against terrorism is also on the meeting's agenda. Furthermore, it is expected that the framework for the secretariat and relevant mechanisms that will guide the joint areas of activity to be determined by the committee will be outlined, and a roadmap for the upcoming period will be established.

The Mecca Joint Defense Agreement was signed in Mecca on August 7 by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The agreement aims for Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia to increase joint deterrence with the goal of supporting security, peace, stability, and prosperity on a regional and global scale. The text stipulates that an attack on any of the signatory states will be considered an attack on all parties.

News Source: 12punto