Türkiye, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia institutionalize Mecca defense pact
22:49, 31/08/2026, MondayU: Update: 23:18, 31/08/2026, Monday
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Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Turkish National Defense Minister Yasar Guler, Turkish Chief of General Staff Gen. Selcuk Bayraktaroglu, Pakistani Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Pakistani Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman and Saudi Chief of General Staff Gen. Fayyadh bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili attend the first meeting of the Strategic Political and Defense Committee, established under the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, in Istanbul, Turkiye, on August 31, 2026.The foreign and defense ministers of Türkiye, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia agreed on Monday to establish a permanent secretariat in Riyadh and institutionalize their trilateral defense cooperation, aiming to enhance collective deterrence and regional stability under the Mecca Agreement.
Türkiye, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Monday agreed to take further steps to institutionalize their cooperation under the Mecca Agreement for Joint Defense, issuing a joint statement following the inaugural meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee in Istanbul. The foreign and defense ministers as well as the chiefs of defense forces of the three nations convened to discuss mechanisms for collective deterrence and regional security.
Regional stability commitments
"Acting with a sense of regional ownership, the three countries reiterate their determination to work together within the framework of the Mecca Agreement to achieve sustainable peace and stability in their region," the statement said. "To that end, they will continue to support efforts towards de-escalation and restraint to encourage peaceful resolution of crises," it added. The parties emphasized that their cooperation would enhance solidarity and ensure the credibility of their collective defense posture.
Secretariat establishment
The joint statement announced the establishment of a secretariat in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to support work carried out under the agreement. "A Secretariat, headed by a Secretary General, will be established in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to support their work within the framework of the Mecca Agreement," the statement said. The secretariat will initially be headed by a secretary general from Pakistan for a three-year term.
Defense industry collaboration
The three countries agreed to strengthen their defense capabilities and the cohesion of their armed forces through joint activities and robust defense industry cooperation. "Through joint activities, they will also work to strengthen their defence capabilities and cohesion of their armed forces through robust defence industry cooperation, joint technology development and production," the statement added. The ministers noted that the institutionalized implementation of the Mecca Agreement would provide essential contributions to regional peace and stability.