Turkey, which along with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia is part of the Mecca Defense agreement, has emphasized that this framework aims to illuminate a "new security architecture" for the region. The intention of the bloc is for other regional actors to join the project, following the first joint meeting at the level of defense and foreign ministers and chiefs of staff, held in Istanbul.
The Turkish Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, highlighted in a statement after the meeting that "with this alliance, we will see how gradually greater stability is consolidated in the region and how uncertainty decreases," and insisted that the three countries seek to establish a "new security architecture," according to the Anadolu agency.
This Mecca Defense agreement is conceived as a platform aimed at fostering "greater regional stability" and to which more states can join, given that it has been launched "with the goal of expanding," explained the head of Turkish diplomacy.
During the meeting, the internal structures of the alliance were outlined. Among the decisions made is the creation of a permanent headquarters in Saudi Arabia, which will have a secretary general. In its first term, this position will be held by a representative of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan "for a period of three years."
In a joint statement, Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia noted that "through joint activities, they will also work to strengthen their defense capabilities and the cohesion of their armed forces through solid cooperation in defense industry, as well as through the joint development and production of technology."
The document also emphasizes "their determination to work together within the framework of the Mecca agreement to achieve sustainable peace and stability in their region." "To this end, they will continue to support efforts aimed at de-escalation and containment, with the goal of promoting the peaceful resolution of crises," the statement points out.
This understanding, considered historic by its promoters, aims to strengthen military coordination among the three countries in the context of the war between the United States and Iran and the defense cooperation initiative promoted by Riyadh and Islamabad last year.
The pact has received the backing of the United States. Its president, Donald Trump, described it as a "first great step" towards a "more effective" defense in the Middle East and towards greater regional integration.
Turkey's Criticism of Netanyahu
In parallel, Fidan has referred to the diplomatic confrontation between Turkey and Israel following the Israeli bombings in Syria and has lashed out at the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, of whom he has said that "he has become a common enemy of humanity, of the international community, and of security."
"He is not a person to be taken seriously. The international system must fight against the threat that Netanyahu represents," the Turkish Foreign Minister has emphasized.