Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has clarified that the new defence agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye targets no country.
He said the pact remains open to other brotherly countries seeking regional peace, stability and prosperity.
Erdogan made the remarks after Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement on Friday.
Under the agreement, an armed attack against any one of the three countries will be regarded as an attack against all three.
Erdogan Explains the Purpose of the Defence Pact
The agreement was signed during the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Summit for Joint Defence.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, and President Erdogan attended the summit.
Erdogan said the agreement would strengthen defence cooperation among the three countries.
In his statement, he said: “This agreement, based on collective deterrence, will contribute to advancing our security and defence cooperation, developing joint projects in the defence industry, and combating terrorism.”
He further clarified the agreement’s wider purpose.
“The agreement, which also reaffirms the right of defence as defined in Article 51 of the UN Charter, targets no country and is open to the participation of all brotherly countries that aim for the peace, prosperity, and stability of our region,” he added.
The Turkish president also emphasized dialogue and diplomacy as the preferred approach to resolving regional disputes.
He said, “in line with its vision of regional ownership, Turkiye will resolutely continue its principled stance toward resolving conflicts and crises through dialogue and diplomacy on the basis of respect for international law”.
Erdogan also expressed hope that the agreement would benefit the wider region.
“I pray to my Lord that our visit, our consultations, and the agreement we have signed may bring blessings to our entire region,” he added.
Saudi Arabia Highlights Strategic Partnership
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said the agreement reflects the strong relations between the three countries.
He described the pact as an important development in their defence cooperation.
In a statement, Faisal said the agreement “crowns the shared desire to unify efforts to confront the challenges and threats that affect the security and stability of the region”.
He added that the agreement reflects the three countries’ shared political will to protect security and stability.
Moreover, Faisal said the pact could contribute to creating a safer regional environment.
He said the agreement would serve the interests of the three countries and their people.
It would also positively affect the wider region, he added, while helping create greater opportunities for development and prosperity.
Pakistan Outlines Collective Defence Commitment
Earlier, Pakistan’s Foreign Office said the agreement demonstrates the three countries’ shared commitment to collective security.
The Foreign Office said the pact aims to promote peace, security and stability in the region and beyond.
“The agreement is intended to strengthen collective deterrence against any act of aggression, and stipulates that any armed attack against any one of the three states shall be regarded as an attack against them all,” it said.
The agreement also calls for stronger cooperation across different areas of defence.
According to the Foreign Office, the pact provides for the enhancement of all aspects of defence cooperation among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye.
The agreement therefore places collective deterrence, defence cooperation and regional stability at the centre of the three-way partnership.
