ISLAMABAD: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Monday said that the tripartite agreement between Istanbul, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia will be known as “Makkah Defence Alliance”, with its first secretary-general to be from Pakistan.
The Turkish foreign minister made the announcement while addressing a press conference following the first meeting held under the agreement in Istanbul.
The agreement signed earlier this month commits the three countries to mutual defense in the event of any of them being attacked.
Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar attended the inaugural meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee, established under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, alongside Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Chief of Defense Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir Dar, with their Turkish and Saudi counterparts, Pakistan’s Foreign Office said.
The Turkish foreign minister reiterated that the alliance is based on “defense” and follows international principles such as respecting the sovereignty, integrity of the countries and not intervening in domestic affairs.
“As of today, we have started the process of establishing the institutional structure of the alliance,” he added.
“There is a secretariat that has been established in Riyadh, and the first secretary general will be appointed amongst our Pakistani brothers,” Fadan said.
“For the future of a secure, stable and prosperous region, this alliance is based on international principles such as respecting the sovereignty of other states, territorial integrity and not intervening in internal affairs,” he said, adding that the alliance was not against any country.
Common enemy of humanity
The foreign minister said that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has become a common enemy of humanity, the international community and security.
Fidan reiterated that Netanyahu and those acting with him pose a threat not only to Türkiye but to broader regional and global security.
“The international system must fight against the Netanyahu threat,” Fidan added.
Greater regional stability
Speaking at the meeting, the Turkish foreign minister said, “The alliance is expected to contribute to greater regional stability. With this alliance, we will see greater stability gradually emerge in the region and uncertainty diminish.”
He maintained that the alliance was “open for the partnership and participation of any other country”. However, Fidan stressed that while the alliance was open, “there are some conditions, rules and standards”, adding that the alliance’s nature was such that it was “expected to expand”.
Earlier, FM Dar held a meeting with his Turkish counterpart, in Istanbul, where both sides expressed satisfaction over the continued strengthening and expansion of bilateral relations.
The agreement is aimed at strengthening security, peace and stability in the region, and offers opportunities for countries that adopt a cooperative approach to security and prioritize peace and prosperity over conflict.