- Pact reflects deep strategic relations among three nations: Faisal.
- Pact reaffirms right of defence as defined in UN Charter:Erdogan
- Agreement aims to strengthen collective deterrence: FO
Turkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday that the joint defence pact signed with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan “targets no country and is open to the participation of all brotherly countries”.
Erdogan’s statement came hours after Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, under which an armed attack against any one of the three countries would be regarded as an attack against them all.
The agreement was signed during the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Summit for Joint Defence, attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, and the Turkish president.
In his X post, Erdogan said: “This agreement, based on collective deterrence, will contribute to advancing our security and defence cooperation, developing joint projects in the defence industry, and combating terrorism.”
“The agreement, which also reaffirms the right of defence as defined in Article 51 of the UN Charter, targets no country and is open to the participation of all brotherly countries that aim for the peace, prosperity, and stability of our region,” he added.
Erdogan backed dialogue and diplomacy to resolve regional crises and said, “in line with its vision of regional ownership, Turkiye will resolutely continue its principled stance toward resolving conflicts and crises through dialogue and diplomacy on the basis of respect for international law”.
“I pray to my Lord that our visit, our consultations, and the agreement we have signed may bring blessings to our entire region,” he added.
Meanwhile, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said the agreement reflects the depth of the fraternal and strategic relations among the three countries and marks a significant milestone in their defence cooperation.
In a statement on X, the Saudi foreign minister said the agreement “crowns the shared desire to unify efforts to confront the challenges and threats that affect the security and stability of the region”.
Faisal said the pact embodies the common political will of the three nations to safeguard security and stability while supporting a more secure regional environment.
He said the agreement would serve the interests of the three countries and peoples, positively impact the wider region and help pave the way for a more secure future with greater opportunities for development and prosperity.
Earlier in the day, the Pakistan’s Foreign Office said the agreement underscores the three countries’ shared commitment to enhancing collective security and promoting peace, security and stability in the region and beyond.
“The agreement is intended to strengthen collective deterrence against any act of aggression, and stipulates that any armed attack against any one of the three states shall be regarded as an attack against them all,” it added.
The agreement also provides for the enhancement of all aspects of defence cooperation among the three countries, read the statement.
