Islamabad – Islamic countries and the OIC have warmly welcomed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye.
Regarding the defence agreement, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the agreement, based on collective defence, would strengthen cooperation in security and defence-related joint projects.
In a statement, he said the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement is not directed against any country and remains open to all brotherly countries that seek peace and stability.
He prayed that the agreement would become a source of goodness, blessings, peace and stability for the entire region. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan also issued a message congratulating the three countries on the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.
In his message, he said this agreement is an important milestone for the peace, development and prosperity of the people of all three countries.
He said the agreement would help the three countries address common threats affecting regional stability. The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) also described the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement among Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye as an important development.
Secretary-General OIC, Hissein Ibrahim Taha, welcomed the important strategic initiative and expressed his full support for the agreement. The OIC Secretary-General also praised the wise leadership and efforts of the three countries in concluding the agreement. The Foreign Ministry of the Kingdom of Bahrain also warmly welcomed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.
The Bahraini Foreign Ministry recognized the three brotherly countries’ strong defence capabilities and military expertise. Like other countries, Yemen also announced its strong support for the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement among Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan.
In a statement, Yemen’s Foreign Ministry said the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement reflects an important strategic milestone in defence cooperation among the three countries and demonstrates their shared efforts to address common threats.
It said the agreement is also of great importance to Yemen in the context of security in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
Somalia also welcomed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye. Somalia’s Ministry of Defence said, in a statement, that the agreement will establish a trusted strategic partnership to address common security challenges.
The Ministry said the agreement will also play a significant role in promoting regional peace, stability and international security.
Sheikh Professor Dr. Abdul Rahman bin Abdulaziz Al-Sudais, President of the Presidency of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, also welcomed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement. He said the conclusion of this agreement in the sacred surroundings of Makkah holds special significance.
Meanwhile, Bahrain also welcomed the signing of Makkah Joint Defence Agreement describing it as a strategic partnership between equal partners driven by a shared commitment to safeguard regional and global stability while bolstering credible deterrance.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain highlighted the three countries’ formidable defense capabilities, military expertise and contributions to regional security.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan says that the defense pact his country signed yesterday with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia is technically the same as NATO’s Article 5 mutual defense agreement.
Speaking to the state-run Anadolu news agency, Fidan says a committee of ministers similar to that within NATO would be formed as part of the alliance, as well as a general secretariat based in Saudi Arabia.
Egypt could potentially join the pact once certain technical matters are resolved, he adds.
