ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan’s Foreign Minister announced on Sunday that a newly signed defense agreement with Saudi Arabia and Turkey is not aimed against any specific country. The Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, finalized Friday, seeks to deepen security cooperation amidst rising tensions between the United States and Iran.
Key Figures Involved
The landmark agreement was signed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. These leaders aim to enhance strategic security collaboration.
Defensive Nature of the Agreement
The agreement is ‘purely defensive in nature,’ allowing other nations to join if they agree to resolve differences peacefully.
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, emphasized that this cooperation does not target Iran or any other country. Dar’s post on X reinforced the message that the accord is open to other countries adhering to its principles.
Details of the Accord
The agreement includes a provision that considers an armed attack on any of the three participating states as an attack on all. This concept is aligned with the right of individual and collective self-defense under Article 51 of the U.N. Charter.
Dar stated Pakistan’s commitment to working towards lasting peace and stability in the region. The accord does not replace existing bilateral or multilateral agreements.
Public Celebrations
The signing was followed by public celebrations with landmarks in Islamabad and Saudi cities displaying the colors of the respective nations’ flags.
Defense Capabilities
The involved countries offer different strengths: Pakistan’s military experience as the only nuclear-armed Muslim nation, Saudi Arabia’s economic power, and Turkey’s large military and advanced defense industry. Despite these assets, defense analysts, like Abdullah Khan from Islamabad, caution against equating the agreement with NATO’s military alliance.
Pakistan’s longstanding military relationship with Saudi Arabia and expanding defense cooperation with Turkey underscore the new agreement’s strategic significance.
A billboard in Karachi celebrated the signing of this agreement, displaying images of notable leaders from the participating countries.