Türkiye Backs Mecca Defense Pact With Saudi Arabia, Pakistan
(MENAFN) Türkiye is advancing a proposed joint defense agreement with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, aiming to strengthen regional security, expand military cooperation and establish a framework for collective defense, Deputy Foreign Minister Levent Gumrukcu told lawmakers Tuesday.
Addressing the Turkish Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Ambassador Levent Gumrukcu presented the agreement for parliamentary approval, describing it as an initiative rooted in longstanding ties and the growing need for regional cooperation.
“The Mecca agreement is not only an extension of the special friendly relations between the three countries, but also a concrete product of the regional ownership increasingly needed in our region,” Gumrukcu told the committee.
The agreement was signed in Mecca on Aug. 7 by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have completed their domestic ratification processes and submitted the required official notifications, Gumrukcu said, as Turkish lawmakers continued deliberations on the proposed legislation.
He characterized the pact as an initial move toward a regional security structure based on shared responsibility, cooperation and collective defense. The participating countries intend to address regional challenges through their own efforts rather than rely on solutions from outside the region, he said.
The proposed framework is designed to benefit both the three signatories and the wider region by strengthening dialogue, building mutual trust and promoting long-term stability.
Defensive framework open to regional partners
Gumrukcu emphasized that the agreement is defensive in nature and is not directed against any country. He said other regional states could join if they uphold international law and respect core principles, including sovereignty, territorial integrity, restrictions on the use of force outside self-defense, peaceful dispute resolution and non-interference in domestic affairs.
“The agreement envisions integration rather than bloc-building in the region, embracing an inclusive rather than divisive vision,” he added.
Pact targets closer military and defense industry cooperation
Under the agreement, the three countries would seek to strengthen collective deterrence, hold regular consultations on international security developments and improve coordination between their armed forces.
Planned measures include personnel exchanges, joint training initiatives and military exercises to enhance interoperability, Gumrukcu said.
The pact also envisages expanded defense industry partnerships, including joint manufacturing and technology transfers. Additional provisions cover closer counterterrorism cooperation and logistical support among the signatories during implementation.
Türkiye says NATO commitments will remain intact
Gumrukcu stressed that the proposed agreement would not replace or diminish Türkiye’s existing commitments under its alliances and international agreements.
Instead, Ankara expects the initiative to reinforce its participation in multilateral security arrangements, particularly NATO, while contributing to stability across the broader Middle East and supporting European security.
He pointed to the close links between the Middle East and Europe as a reason that stronger regional security cooperation could have implications beyond the three participating countries.
Addressing the Turkish Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Ambassador Levent Gumrukcu presented the agreement for parliamentary approval, describing it as an initiative rooted in longstanding ties and the growing need for regional cooperation.
“The Mecca agreement is not only an extension of the special friendly relations between the three countries, but also a concrete product of the regional ownership increasingly needed in our region,” Gumrukcu told the committee.
The agreement was signed in Mecca on Aug. 7 by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have completed their domestic ratification processes and submitted the required official notifications, Gumrukcu said, as Turkish lawmakers continued deliberations on the proposed legislation.
He characterized the pact as an initial move toward a regional security structure based on shared responsibility, cooperation and collective defense. The participating countries intend to address regional challenges through their own efforts rather than rely on solutions from outside the region, he said.
The proposed framework is designed to benefit both the three signatories and the wider region by strengthening dialogue, building mutual trust and promoting long-term stability.
Defensive framework open to regional partners
Gumrukcu emphasized that the agreement is defensive in nature and is not directed against any country. He said other regional states could join if they uphold international law and respect core principles, including sovereignty, territorial integrity, restrictions on the use of force outside self-defense, peaceful dispute resolution and non-interference in domestic affairs.
“The agreement envisions integration rather than bloc-building in the region, embracing an inclusive rather than divisive vision,” he added.
Pact targets closer military and defense industry cooperation
Under the agreement, the three countries would seek to strengthen collective deterrence, hold regular consultations on international security developments and improve coordination between their armed forces.
Planned measures include personnel exchanges, joint training initiatives and military exercises to enhance interoperability, Gumrukcu said.
The pact also envisages expanded defense industry partnerships, including joint manufacturing and technology transfers. Additional provisions cover closer counterterrorism cooperation and logistical support among the signatories during implementation.
Türkiye says NATO commitments will remain intact
Gumrukcu stressed that the proposed agreement would not replace or diminish Türkiye’s existing commitments under its alliances and international agreements.
Instead, Ankara expects the initiative to reinforce its participation in multilateral security arrangements, particularly NATO, while contributing to stability across the broader Middle East and supporting European security.
He pointed to the close links between the Middle East and Europe as a reason that stronger regional security cooperation could have implications beyond the three participating countries.
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