Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said the Mecca Defense Alliance formed by Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan will contribute to peace in the region and the world.
Erdoğan spoke on Tuesday at a summit of leaders and heads of government from member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan.
Defense agreement signed in Mecca
The mutual defense agreement was signed in Mecca on August 7 by President Erdoğan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The agreement aims to strengthen obligations related to preserving peace, stability and prosperity at the regional and global levels. It also provides for the development of defense cooperation based on burden-sharing and a shared understanding of security.
Goal of joint deterrence
Erdoğan said the alliance is based on regional ownership and the principles of collective deterrence, adding that the arrangement would strengthen peace, security and stability in the region and around the world.
Under the agreement, an armed attack against any one of the three countries will be considered an attack against all parties. The framework aims to enhance collective deterrence against potential attacks.
Erdoğan said Türkiye had assumed responsibility for resolving disputes through dialogue and diplomacy, adding that efforts to promote peace, security and stability around the world were continuing.