ISTANBUL (MNN); Türkiye, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have formally named their newly established trilateral security partnership the “Makkah Defence Alliance”, with the alliance’s first secretary general set to be appointed from Pakistan.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan made the announcement on Monday after the inaugural meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee held at Istanbul’s historic Ciragan Palace.
The meeting brought together the foreign and defence ministers and senior military leadership of the three countries to discuss the implementation and institutional framework of the joint defence agreement.
Pakistan was represented by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.
Fidan said the meeting marked the beginning of efforts to establish the institutional structure of the alliance.
“As of today, we have started the process of establishing the institutional structure of the alliance,” he said, adding that the official name of the partnership would be the Makkah Defence Alliance.
He said a secretariat had been established in Riyadh and announced that the alliance’s first secretary general would be appointed from Pakistan.
The three sides exchanged views on the concrete steps required to implement the agreement and discussed the process and timeline for institutionalising the alliance.
Fidan expressed hope that the decisions taken during the first meeting would produce positive results and strengthen cooperation among the three countries.
Alliance Not Directed Against Any Country
The Turkish foreign minister stressed that the Makkah Defence Alliance was aimed at promoting a secure, stable and prosperous region and was not directed against any country.
He said the alliance would be guided by international principles, including respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states and non-interference in their internal affairs.
Fidan said the alliance would remain open to the participation and partnership of other countries, subject to agreed rules, standards and conditions.
He added that the alliance was expected to expand in the future and stressed the importance of building a strong institutional structure before accepting new members.
According to Fidan, the new alliance would not affect or replace the responsibilities of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia or Türkiye under their existing international agreements and alliances.
He said the three countries had demonstrated their willingness to jointly assume greater responsibility for regional peace, security and stability.
The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, signed on August 7, provides for collective security and allows an attack against one member state to be treated as an attack against all members.
First High-Level Meeting of the Alliance
The inaugural meeting was attended by Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, National Defence Minister Yasar Guler, and Chief of General Staff Gen Selcuk Bayraktaroglu.
Saudi Arabia was represented by Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, and Chief of General Staff Gen Fayyadh bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office released photographs of the high-level meeting, while Ishaq Dar described the gathering as a “great inaugural meeting”.
Pakistan said its participation reflected its historic bonds of friendship with the brotherly countries of Türkiye and Saudi Arabia and its commitment to lasting regional peace and stability.
The meeting is being seen as an important first step towards establishing a comprehensive framework for trilateral strategic, political and defence cooperation.
Bilateral Defence Talks Held
Ahead of the trilateral meeting, the three countries also held a series of bilateral discussions in Istanbul.
Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir met Turkish National Defence Minister Yasar Guler before the inaugural meeting under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.
Turkish Defence Minister Guler also held separate talks with Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, attended by Chief of General Staff Gen Selcuk Bayraktaroglu.
Pakistan and Türkiye agreed to further strengthen joint defence cooperation and enhance coordination on regional security matters.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan also met his Saudi counterpart on the sidelines of the trilateral meeting.
Fidan had earlier held talks with Ishaq Dar after the Pakistani deputy prime minister arrived in Istanbul following his official visit to the United Kingdom.
Dar Leaves for Bishkek
Following the conclusion of his Istanbul visit, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar departed for Bishkek along with the Turkish foreign and defence ministers.
He is scheduled to join Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Pakistani delegation for the SCO Council of Heads of State Meeting and the SCO Plus Summit.
