Erdogan says Mecca defense pact sends 'important message' to world

Mecca Defense Pact

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Al Jazeera Arabic in an interview recorded on Aug. 14 that the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement signed by Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan represents a new transformation, stating that the pact offers "a real opportunity for us to deliver an important message to the world." Speaking on the day his ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party marked its 25th anniversary, Erdogan emphasized that concluding the trilateral deal in Mecca provided additional strength and conveyed a separate message about peace.

The Turkish president described the collective defense provision as resembling NATO's Article 5, noting that the pact ensures all three countries would defend one another if any one came under attack. "Whatever NATO's Article 5 includes, similarly, this common defense understanding means that if any problem arises, these three countries will have the opportunity to take the necessary steps together," Erdogan said, adding that additional nations such as Egypt could potentially join the agreement.

Regional Conflicts

Erdogan emphasized that the agreement was concluded during a difficult period between the US and Iran, stressing that Ankara stands firmly for peace while accusing Israel of being the main aggressor behind the ongoing war. "We are definitely not in favor of war," he said, pointing to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and asserting that Israel bears primary responsibility for encouraging conflict and causing heavy regional losses.

Diplomatic Priorities

Regarding bilateral ties, Erdogan pledged to visit Damascus soon to support Syria's new administration and affirmed that Türkiye would not leave Gaza or Lebanon alone amid continued Israeli attacks. On relations with Washington, he expressed expectation that President Donald Trump would fulfill promises regarding F-35 fighter jets, while noting that Moscow maintains continuous telephone diplomacy with Ankara. "The EU is not our priority, but we continue to tell them that they will be the ones who lose, not Türkiye," he stated.