"Islamic Version of NATO" Formed, Three Nations Agree on New Cooperation
Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia have agreed to strengthen and institutionalise defence cooperation between the three nations. This agreement was reached during the first meeting of the Political and Defence Strategic Committee held in Istanbul earlier this week.
The three countries have agreed to take several steps to further bolster cooperation conducted under the Makkah Treaty for Collective Defence.
In a joint statement released following the meeting, Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia reaffirmed their commitment to working together to create sustainable peace and stability in the region.
“Acting with a sense of regional ownership, the three nations reaffirmed their determination to cooperate within the framework of the Makkah Treaty to achieve sustainable peace and stability in their region,” the joint statement read, as reported by Anadolu Agency.
The three nations also stated they will continue to support various efforts to ease tensions and encourage restraint to assist in resolving various crises through peaceful channels.
“To achieve these goals, they will continue to support efforts towards de-escalation and restraint to promote the peaceful resolution of crises,” the statement continued.
Establishment of a Secretariat in Saudi Arabia
In the latest agreement, Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia will institutionalise their defence cooperation through a mechanism designed to strengthen solidarity and the credibility of collective defence.
The three nations stated that the cooperation will be directed towards enhancing deterrence and collective defence capabilities while supporting various joint security efforts in the region.
“The three countries agreed to further institutionalise their cooperation in a manner that will strengthen solidarity, ensure the credibility and effectiveness of their deterrence and collective defence, and contribute to regional and cooperative security efforts towards a just, inclusive, and lasting peace,” the statement said.
As part of these efforts, the three nations agreed to establish a secretariat in Saudi Arabia to support the implementation of cooperation based on the Makkah Treaty.
“A Secretariat, led by a Secretary-General, will be established in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to support their work within the framework of the Makkah Treaty,” the joint statement noted.
In the initial phase, the secretariat will be led by a Secretary-General from Pakistan, with the term of office set for three years.
Strengthening the Defence Industry
In addition to strengthening political and defence coordination, the three countries also agreed to enhance the defence capabilities and cohesion of their respective armed forces through various joint activities.
This cooperation will encompass the defence industry, technology development, and joint production.
“Through joint activities, they will also strive to strengthen the defence capabilities and cohesion of their armed forces through robust defence industry cooperation, joint technology development, and joint production,” the statement said.
The three nations believe that the institutionalised and firm implementation of the Makkah Treaty can provide a significant contribution to regional security.
The meeting in Istanbul was attended by foreign ministers, defence ministers, and the heads of the armed forces or chiefs of general staff from Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia.
The meeting was conducted in the format of the Political and Defence Strategic Committee, established under the Makkah Treaty for Collective Defence.