Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressed hope that more countries will join the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement signed by Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
The pact was signed last Friday as the Middle East faces instability following the prolonged US-Iran war.
The conflict has also disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea.
“Our vision for it is not limited to the three countries,” Erdogan told Asharq Al-Awsat.
He said the agreement could eventually expand if suitable conditions emerge for regional countries to join.
Turkiye expects Egypt to join pact
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Turkiye expected Egypt to join the agreement at a later stage.
He said only a few technical issues needed resolution before Cairo could potentially become part of the alliance.
However, Egypt has not publicly commented on the proposal or indicated plans to join.
Erdogan said regional states should take greater responsibility for their own security and stability.
He argued that regional problems should receive regional solutions rather than externally imposed formulas.
Ankara seeks wider defence cooperation
The agreement includes a collective defence provision stating that an attack on one member would be treated as an attack on all.
Furthermore, Erdogan said the pact could support joint defence-industry projects among participating countries.
He described the agreement as a response to changing regional circumstances and a step toward a more regionally driven security framework.
Meanwhile, Erdogan said Ankara and Riyadh would pursue measures to further strengthen bilateral relations following their recent rapprochement.
