The first defense meeting between Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan will be held in Istanbul

Senior officials from Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan will meet in Istanbul on Monday for the first meeting of the three countries’ joint defense committee, a meeting that follows the signing of a joint defense agreement between them.

The agreement, signed on August 7th under the title “Mecca Mutual Defense Agreement,” emphasizes strengthening collective deterrence against any aggression and considers an armed attack on one of the three countries an attack on all members, a principle similar to NATO’s Article 5.

The foreign and defense ministers and chiefs of staff of the three countries will attend the meeting and discuss international security issues, strengthening defense capabilities, increasing coordination between the armed forces, and expanding cooperation in defense industries, including joint production and development.

Türkiye has said that the pact is expandable and that Egypt could join in the future. Turkish officials have also stressed that the agreement will not replace existing alliances.