First Meeting Under Makkah Joint Defence Agreement to Be Held in Istanbul Tomorrow

Istanbul, August 30: The first meeting of the Strategic, Political and Defence Committee established under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Türkiye, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia will be held in Istanbul on August 31, with the participation of the foreign and defence ministers and senior military leadership of the three countries.

The meeting will discuss joint defence cooperation, defence industry, counterterrorism cooperation, enhanced coordination among the armed forces of the three countries, and the regional and global security situation.

Türkiye will host the meeting, with Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Defence Minister Yaşar Güler and Chief of General Staff General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu expected to attend. Pakistan will be represented by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif and CDF Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. Saudi Arabia is expected to be represented by Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman and Chief of General Staff General Fayyad bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili.

According to sources, the meeting will review the evolving global and regional security environment and explore ways to further strengthen the defence capabilities of the three countries. Opportunities for enhancing military cooperation, joint exercises and operational coordination will also be discussed.

Expanding cooperation in the defence industry will be another key area of discussion. The participants are expected to examine ways to increase collaboration in joint defence production, research and development, and defence technologies.

The meeting is also expected to discuss strengthening cooperation in the fight against terrorism and developing new mechanisms for coordinated efforts among the three countries in this field.

The committee will also consider institutional mechanisms, including the establishment of a secretariat and procedures for implementing joint projects and activities under the agreement. The three sides are expected to work towards developing a comprehensive roadmap for future cooperation.

According to sources, the meeting will also focus on developing the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement as a framework for promoting peace, security and stability in the region. The agreement also provides possibilities for future cooperation with other countries that respect international law and seek to promote peace and stability.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif signed the joint defence agreement in Makkah on August 7.

The agreement aims to promote peace, security, stability and prosperity at regional and international levels while strengthening the collective defence capabilities and deterrence of the three countries. Under a key provision of the agreement, an armed attack against any one of the three countries will be considered an attack against all three.

The first committee meeting in Istanbul is being viewed as an important step towards operationalising the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement and establishing a permanent institutional framework for political, defence and strategic cooperation among Türkiye, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.