A defense agreement signed among Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia is essentially comparable to NATO’s Article 5, according to Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. He emphasized that the pact is not aimed at Iran. Fidan revealed that Turkish President Erdogan is eager to expand the alliance, with Egypt being a possible future member, among others.
On Friday, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey formalized the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement, stating that the goal is to bolster collective deterrence against any aggression. The agreement stipulates that an armed attack against any of the three nations will be considered an attack on all.
Fidan told Anadolu News Agency that this alliance is not directed at Iran or any other country. Its primary aim is to reaffirm commitment to mutual security. The nations will consult on the nature, extent, and type of support needed if any member faces an assault, with no country seen as a threat as long as the others are not attacked.
Turkey, which boasts the second-largest military force within NATO, has indicated that the pact is open to regional expansion and does not intend to replace existing alliances. “NATO is a vast military alliance consisting of 32 member countries. We are starting small—with three countries—and are taking humble yet concrete steps,” Fidan said. The pact’s formation has been over two years in the making.
He also mentioned plans to establish a committee of ministers similar to NATO’s, along with a secretariat based in Saudi Arabia, where operational details will be discussed at the initial meeting. The Turkish foreign minister expressed a desire for the alliance to grow beyond three countries, bringing in other regional players like Egypt once certain technical issues are resolved.
Recently, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Egypt have formed a group to address regional concerns, including tackling Iran. This group, dubbed R4, aims to build a stronger partnership through actionable mechanisms.
Fidan also noted Turkey’s interest in being part of an international coalition to safeguard Red Sea shipping from Houthi attacks, aligning with Turkey’s strategic interests.
President Erdogan reaffirmed that the joint defense pact targets no country and remains open to all “brotherly” nations. He tweeted that the agreement, rooted in collective deterrence, will bolster security, foster joint defense projects, and fight terrorism.
Erdogan emphasized that the pact aligns with the right to self-defense as outlined in UN Charter Article 51 and underscores its inclusive nature, inviting countries committed to regional peace and stability. He called for continued dialogue and diplomacy to resolve regional crises, asserting Turkey’s commitment to international law and peaceful conflict resolution. He expressed hope that their efforts and agreements will bring blessings to the entire region.