Istanbul: The first meeting of the Strategic Political and Defense Committee, established under the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, began in Istanbul on Monday. Trkiye is hosting this inaugural meeting, which aims to provide strategic direction for activities under the agreement and convenes the foreign ministers, defense ministers, and chiefs of general staff from Trkiye, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia.
According to Anadolu Agency, the meeting commenced with a family photo and included key participants: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, National Defense Minister Yasar Guler, and Chief of General Staff Gen. Selcuk Bayraktaroglu; Pakistani Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Federal Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir; Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, and Chief of General Staff Gen. Fayyadh bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili. Discussions are expected to focus on international security issues, enhancing defense capabilities, promoting interoperability among the three nations' armed forces, and deepening cooperation in the defense industry, including joint production and research and development. Additionally, efforts to strengthen joint actions against terrorism will be addressed.
The meeting is also set to define the framework for the Secretariat and other relevant mechanisms that will coordinate efforts in areas identified by the Strategic Political and Defense Committee. A roadmap for future steps is anticipated to be determined. This gathering aims to reaffirm the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement's goal of bolstering security, peace, and stability in the region, emphasizing opportunities for countries that embrace a cooperative approach to security and prioritize peace and prosperity over conflict.
The Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, signed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Mecca on August 7, is based on shared responsibility and regional ownership amid increasing regional and global instability. The agreement seeks to promote security, peace, stability, and prosperity while enhancing collective deterrence. It stipulates that an attack on any signatory state will be considered an attack on all parties. Additionally, it aims to foster a new culture of regional cooperation and remains open to participants who respect international law and share a vision of peaceful collaboration.
Source: Anadolu Agency