Turkish President Erdogan: Makkah pact to reshape regional security

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said the joint defence agreement signed by Türkiye, Pakistan and

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said the joint defence agreement signed by Türkiye, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia will strengthen security cooperation and contribute to peace and stability in the region.

In a statement posted on his X account, Erdogan said he visited Makkah at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman.

During the visit, Erdogan said he met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The three leaders subsequently signed a joint defence agreement, according to Erdogan.

He said the agreement is based on the principle of collective defence and would further strengthen security and military cooperation among the three countries.

Erdogan said the pact would also encourage joint projects in the defence industry and facilitate stronger cooperation in combating terrorism.

The Turkish president said the agreement reaffirmed the right to self-defence recognised under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.

He stressed that the agreement was not directed against any country.

Instead, Erdogan said the pact remained open to brotherly countries that seek peace, prosperity and stability in the region.

He added that Türkiye would continue to pursue its principled position of resolving conflicts and crises through dialogue and diplomacy.

Erdogan also expressed hope that the visit to Makkah and the agreement reached by the three countries would bring peace, stability and prosperity to the wider region.

The agreement marks a significant step in defence cooperation between Türkiye, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and establishes a framework for closer coordination against shared security threats.