Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced on Monday (August 31) that the trilateral defense agreement signed between Ankara, Islamabad, and Riyadh will be officially named the ‘Mecca Defense Alliance.’ The alliance’s first Secretary-General will be appointed from Pakistan. Fidan made this announcement at a press conference following the inaugural meeting held in Istanbul under the agreement.
According to a report by Dawn, Pakistan was represented at the meeting by the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Defense Minister Khawaja Asif.
Prior to the meeting, the foreign ministers, defense ministers, and top military officials from the three nations posed for a joint photograph at Istanbul’s Çırağan Palace.
At the press conference, Fidan stated that Turkey hosted the first meeting of the strategic defense and political committee on Monday. He noted that the meeting was held to discuss and exchange views on specific steps to be taken for the implementation of the agreement.
Fidan said, “From today, we have initiated the process of establishing the alliance’s institutional framework.” He simultaneously announced that the agreement would be officially known as the ‘Mecca Defense Alliance.’
He mentioned that a secretariat has been established in Riyadh and that the first Secretary-General will be appointed from among their “Pakistani brothers.”
Fidan also stated that decisions were made regarding how and when the institutionalization of the alliance would begin. He noted that representatives from all participating countries shared their views on the matter.
Fidan expressed hope that the decisions taken at the meeting would yield “excellent results.” He stated that the alliance is built upon certain international principles aimed at fostering a secure, stable, and prosperous region. These principles include respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other states and non-interference in internal affairs.
Fidan emphasized that this alliance is not directed against any specific country.
He indicated that the alliance is open to partnership and participation from other nations. However, he clarified that there are “certain conditions, rules, and criteria” for joining. He also anticipates that the alliance will expand further in the future, given its structure and nature.
Emphasizing the need to rapidly establish the alliance’s institutional framework, Fidan stated that the alliance must be fully operational before any other allied nation seeks to join.
He further noted that joining or establishing this alliance would in no way nullify the obligations member nations have under other agreements or alliances.
Fidan expressed hope that through Monday’s meeting, Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia have demonstrated their readiness to assume responsibility for the region’s security and stability.
“We will cooperate closely with friendly nations and continue to coordinate our efforts,” he said.
The Turkish Foreign Minister also remarked that a lack of alliances and mutual trust among regional countries has given rise to various security issues.
According to an Anadolu Agency report, Fidan, National Defense Minister Yaşar Güler, and Chief of General Staff General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu represented Turkey at the meeting.
The Saudi delegation included Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, and Chief of General Staff General Fayyad bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili.
Anadolu Agency also released a video of the meeting, showing the participants seated in a hall with Fidan in the center. The video captures Fidan exchanging greetings with individuals including Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Asim Munir.
Under the joint defense agreement signed on August 7, an attack on any one of the three member nations will be considered an attack on all of them.
