Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan attended a meeting in New York with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan under the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement. During his visit to the city for the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, Fidan met with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan and Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar.
Latest stage of technical negotiations discussed
The foreign ministers reviewed the latest stage reached in technical-level negotiations aimed at institutionalizing cooperation under the agreement. The meeting also addressed preparations for the next meeting of the Strategic Political and Defense Committee, which is planned for the coming period.
In a joint statement issued after the meeting, the ministers condemned “in the strongest terms” the heinous attacks targeting the holy city of Mecca and Saudi Arabia’s civilian and economic facilities. The statement reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s right under Article 51 of the UN Charter to take the measures it deems appropriate to defend its security. The ministers also discussed preparations for an urgent meeting of the three countries’ chiefs of staff to examine ways of supporting Saudi Arabia, in line with the provision that an attack on any party is considered an attack on all. The chiefs of staff met in Riyadh on September 25.
Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed the defense agreement at a trilateral summit held in Mecca in August. Under the agreement, the parties committed to strengthening joint security, deepening cooperation in defense and supporting peace and stability in the region and beyond.
Fidan also meets Egyptian counterpart
Fidan’s program in New York also included a meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty.