- Roadmap being prepared for other countries to join pact: Fidan.
- Turkish FM says meeting aims to promote regional peace, stability.
- Says huddle to determine shared responsibilities amid tensions.
The inaugural meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee, established under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, began in Istanbul, Turkiye, on Monday.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir are representing Pakistan at the high-level trilateral huddle.
The meeting is also being attended by the foreign and defence ministers, as well as the chiefs of general staff of Turkiye and Saudi Arabia.
Pakistan’s participation in the meeting reflects its historic bonds of friendship with the brotherly countries of Turkiye and Saudi Arabia, as well as its commitment to lasting regional peace and stability.
The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, signed on August 7, brought together the Muslim nations concerned by the Middle East war that began on February 28, after the US and Israel jointly bombed Iran and targeted its top leadership.
The defence pact is intended to strengthen collective deterrence against any act of aggression and stipulates that an armed attack against any of the three would be regarded as an attack on all, similar to NATO’s Article 5 collective defence clause.
‘Roadmap for other countries to join pact in works’
Addressing a press conference following the first session , Turkish FM Fidan said that they were working on a roadmap for process of other countries to participate in the joint defence pact.
He said that the meeting aimed at promoting regional peace, stability and prosperity, adding that decisions taken at the meeting would yield meaningful results.
The meeting will determine shared responsibilities in the backdrop of growing regional and global tensions, FM Fidan aided.
He said that the meeting would also discuss global and regional security issues, strengthening the defence capabilities of the three countries and enhancing coordination among their armed forces.
Fidan said the pact aimed at strengthen joint defence capabilities and collective deterrence.
He said the agenda will also include strengthening joint efforts against terrorism and reviewing cooperation in the defence industry, including joint production, research and development.
Fidan said the meeting will also consider a framework for establishing a secretariat and relevant mechanisms to guide joint activities.
This is a developing story and is being updated with more details.
