Pakistan says new defense pact with Saudi Arabia and Turkey is 'purely defensive' and open to others
Summary
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey have signed a new defense agreement called the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement. The three countries say the pact is defensive, not aimed at any other country, and open for other nations to join if they agree to peaceful principles.Key Facts
- The Mecca Joint Defense Agreement was signed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
- The agreement states that an armed attack on any one of the three countries will be treated as an attack on all of them.
- Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said the pact is purely defensive and consistent with the U.N. Charter’s right to self-defense.
- Other countries in the region may join the pact if they support peaceful conflict resolution.
- The agreement does not cancel or replace any existing agreements the countries have with others.
- Pakistan is the only nuclear-armed Muslim country and brings military experience to the group.
- Saudi Arabia adds economic power and regional influence.
- Turkey, a NATO member, contributes a large military and a growing defense industry.
- Defense experts say the pact should not be seen as a rival to NATO or targeted against Iran.
- Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have had close military ties for many years, and Pakistan and Turkey have increased defense cooperation recently.
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