Istanbul: Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman and Pakistani army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir on Monday discussed ways to strengthen bilateral defense cooperation and regional developments. The meeting was held in Istanbul on the sidelines of the inaugural meeting of the Strategic Political and Defense Committee, established under the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement.

According to Anadolu Agency, the two officials reviewed 'prospects for military and defense cooperation between the two brotherly countries,' as reported by the Saudi Press Agency. They also discussed 'regional developments and the efforts being made in response to them,' the agency added.

Trkiye is hosting the inaugural meeting of the Strategic Political and Defense Committee, established under the agreement to provide strategic direction for its implementation. The committee brings together the foreign and defense ministers and chiefs of general staff of Trkiye, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif signed the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement in Mecca on Aug. 7.