Turkish, Saudi, Pakistani officials to meet in Istanbul Monday
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Foreign ministers, defence ministers, and military chiefs from Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan will meet in Istanbul on Monday. The meeting is the first since the three nations signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement earlier this month. It will formally establish a political and defence strategic committee.
Key Facts
- The Istanbul meeting will be attended by foreign ministers, defence ministers, and chiefs of staff from Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan.
- The meeting will formally establish a political and defence strategic committee, according to AFP.
- The agenda will cover international security issues and discussions on improving military cooperation and capabilities.
- The Mecca agreement is a collective security pact under which an attack on one member could be considered an attack on all.
- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in August that Egypt could potentially join the pact.
Meeting Agenda
Turkish Foreign Ministry sources said the agenda will cover international security issues and discussions on improving military cooperation and capabilities. The meeting will formally establish a political and defence strategic committee comprised of national representatives, according to AFP. The gathering is the first since the signing of the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement earlier this month.
Mecca Agreement
The Mecca agreement forms a collective security pact similar to NATO, under which an attack on one member could be considered an attack on all. The alliance was established following the United States-Israel war on Iran. Turkiye possesses the second-largest military in NATO, Pakistan is the only nuclear-armed Muslim country, and Saudi Arabia is the world's leading oil exporter.
Potential Expansion
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in an August interview with Al Jazeera that Egypt could potentially join the pact. Bangladesh has stated it is actively considering joining the agreement. India's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi would take all necessary steps to safeguard its national security.
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Turkish, Saudi, Pakistani officials to meet in Istanbul Monday
