Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Monday that the General Secretariat of the Makkah Defence Alliance will be located in Saudi Arabia. Pakistan will supply the Secretary General. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan made these comments at a press conference that followed the meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee. The Committee was set up under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement in Istanbul.
The Makkah Defence Agreement has started a process to create a security and cooperation architecture in the region, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan added that with this alliance, greater stability will slowly appear in the region and uncertainty will fall.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan also said the Makkah Defence Alliance was established with the aim of expanding. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said that some early decisions had been made regarding the arrangements needed to grow the alliance. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan added that Turkiye will keep supporting the work to set up the framework.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan described the alliance as a defence pact that will respect the integrity and sovereignty of each member state. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the pact will not interfere in the affairs of those states.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the alliance will also stay open to countries in the region. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan added that the peaceful vision behind the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement can be pursued with other countries in the region.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan clarified that the agreement will not replace the countries’ duties under organisations, for example NATO. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the agreement will instead complement those responsibilities.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said, “We have reaffirmed again that we are ready to take responsibility for peace and stability.” Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan added that Turkiye will keep working with Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and other countries in the region.
Asked about comments from the Netanyahu government that describe Türkiye as a major threat he said: “Netanyahu, who has become a common enemy of humanity the international community and security is not a person to be taken seriously.” “The international system must fight against the Netanyahu threat,” he added.
Türkiye is hosting the meeting of the committee, which was created to give strategic direction to activities under the agreement and brings together the foreign ministers, defence ministers and chiefs of general staff of Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
After a photo the meeting started with the participation of Foreign Minister, National Defence Minister Yasar Guler and Chief of General Staff Gen Selcuk Bayraktaroglu; Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir; and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman and Chief of General Staff Gen Fayyadh bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili.
Participants talked about security issues. Participants talked about building defence capabilities. Participants talked about making the armed forces of the three countries work together better. Participants talked about growing defence industry cooperation, such as making things and researching together. Participants talked about making efforts to fight terrorism stronger.
The meeting also outlined the framework for the Secretariat. The meeting also outlined relevant mechanisms that will coordinate work in areas identified by the Strategic Political and Defence Committee. The meeting also outlined a roadmap for steps.
The gathering reaffirmed that the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, which aims to strengthen security, peace and stability in the region, offers opportunities for countries that adopt an approach to security. The gathering reaffirmed that the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement prioritises peace and prosperity over conflict.
Earlier, CDF Munir met the defence minister before the meeting. The Turkish Ministry of National Defence announced the meeting on X.
Defence Minister Asif also met Güler. According to Radio Pakistan, Asif agreed to improve joint defence cooperation in the region during the meeting with his counterpart in Istanbul. Güler was accompanied by Chief of General Staff General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu during the meeting with the defence minister.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement in Makkah on August 7. The signing took place in the city of Makkah.
Türkiye, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed the agreement on the idea that they share responsibility and own the region together. The agreement aims to give security, more peace, more stability and more prosperity. It also strengthens the power of all sides together.
The agreement says that if one signatory state is attacked, it will be seen as an attack on every signatory state. All signatory states will act together.
The agreement also wants to create a culture of cooperation in the region. It remains open to actors who respect the law and who share a vision of peaceful cooperation.
