First meeting within Mecca Defense Agreement framework held in Istanbul

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye have begun establishing a trilateral strategic and defense cooperation mechanism, Report informs via Dawn newspaper.

The first meeting under the Mecca joint defense agreement was held in Istanbul on August 31.

The delegations were led by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman.

Pakistan's Foreign Ministry had previously said the meeting was planned in the format of the Strategic Political and Defense Committee established under the Mecca agreement.

The first ministerial meeting since the recent signing of the document between Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan is being viewed as the initial stage in establishing a trilateral strategic and defense cooperation framework.

According to AFP, the participants are expected to discuss strengthening defense capabilities, improving the operational interoperability of the three countries' armed forces and expanding cooperation in the defense industry.

Under the agreement signed in Mecca on August 7, an attack on any one of the participating states will be regarded as an attack on all member countries.