Mecca mutual defence pact submitted to Turkish parliament

A bill to approve the Mecca Mutual Defence Pact signed by Türkiye, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia has been submitted to the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) for consideration.

Operative Information Center-OMM reports that the document has been referred to parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee for preliminary review and assessment.

The historic agreement was signed on August 7 this year at Al-Safa Palace in the Saudi city of Mecca by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

The pact reflects the three countries’ commitment to shared approaches to resolving regional crises and their common strategic vision for ensuring security and stability in the Middle East and South Asia. It provides for strengthening the defence capabilities of the three allied countries through joint deterrence and collective security mechanisms. Under the agreement, armed aggression or a military attack against any one of the signatory states will be regarded as an act directed against all three countries.

The bill is expected to go to the parliament’s plenary session for ratification after receiving approval from the Foreign Affairs Committee.