Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said the “Makkah Joint Defence Agreement” signed by Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan will strengthen defence cooperation among the three countries and contribute to regional security and stability.

Erdoğan made the remarks in a post on his Nsosyal account following his visit to Makkah al-Mukarramah at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman.

During the visit, Erdoğan held talks with Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The three leaders also signed the Joint Defence Agreement, which places collective deterrence and closer security coordination at the centre of trilateral defence cooperation.

According to Erdoğan, the agreement is designed to enhance cooperation in the fields of security and defence, encourage the development of joint projects in the defence industry and strengthen efforts to combat terrorism and transnational security threats.

The pact also reaffirms the right of self-defence recognized under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter. The article recognizes the inherent right of individual and collective self-defence in the event of an armed attack.

Erdoğan stressed that the agreement is defensive in nature and is not directed against any particular country.

“The agreement targets no country and is open to the participation of all brotherly countries that seek the peace, prosperity and stability of our region,” he said.

Focus on collective deterrence

The Makkah pact is expected to provide a framework for closer coordination among Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan on issues affecting their national and regional security.

The emphasis on collective deterrence means that the three countries intend to increase their ability to respond jointly to potential security threats while improving coordination between their defence institutions.

The agreement also provides an avenue for expanding defence-industry cooperation. Türkiye has developed a growing defence-export sector, particularly in unmanned aerial systems and other military technologies, while Saudi Arabia has been pursuing greater localization of defence production as part of its broader economic and industrial development plans.

Pakistan, meanwhile, has extensive experience in defence production and maintains longstanding military cooperation with both Türkiye and Saudi Arabia. The trilateral framework could therefore create opportunities for increased cooperation in defence technology, production and joint projects.

Counterterrorism and regional security

Another major area highlighted by Erdoğan is the fight against terrorism. The three countries have faced different forms of terrorism and transnational security threats and have emphasized the importance of intelligence-sharing and coordinated security measures.

The agreement comes amid wider efforts by regional countries to strengthen their own security mechanisms and reduce dependence on external actors in addressing regional crises.

Erdoğan said Türkiye would continue to support a policy of “regional ownership,” emphasizing that regional countries should play a greater role in resolving conflicts and addressing security challenges in their immediate neighborhood.

“In line with our vision of regional ownership, Türkiye will continue to pursue its principled stance with determination, aimed at resolving conflicts and crises through dialogue and diplomacy, on the basis of respect for international law,” he said.

Pact open to other countries

Erdoğan also indicated that the agreement was not intended to become an exclusive arrangement limited to the three signatories.

He said the pact is open to the participation of other “brotherly countries” that seek peace, prosperity and stability in the region.

This provision could potentially allow the defence framework to develop into a broader regional security mechanism, although the extent of any future expansion will depend on the decisions of the participating governments.

The Turkish president concluded by expressing hope that the Makkah visit, the trilateral consultations and the newly signed agreement would contribute to peace and stability across the region.

“I pray to Almighty Allah that our visit, our consultations and the agreement we signed will be auspicious for our entire region,” Erdoğan said. (ILKHA)