First meeting of “Mecca alliance” to be held in Türkiye’s Istanbul

The first meeting of the so-called “Mecca alliance,” comprising Türkiye, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, will be held in Istanbul on August 31, Haber Global reports, citing sources in the Turkish Foreign Ministry.

The meeting is expected to be attended by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Pakistani Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. The gathering will mark the inaugural session of the Strategic Political and Defense Committee, which is planned to be established to set strategic priorities for activities carried out under the “Mecca Joint Defense Agreement.”

The agenda is set to include international security issues, the development of defense capabilities, improving interoperability among the armed forces of the three countries, and deepening cooperation in the defense industry, including the implementation of joint manufacturing and research projects.

The countries are also expected to strengthen joint efforts to combat terrorism, define the framework for a Secretariat that will coordinate work on areas of common activity identified by the alliance, and establish other mechanisms.

A roadmap for the alliance’s next steps is also due to be prepared during the meeting.

Turkish Foreign Ministry sources noted that the “Mecca Joint Defense Agreement” creates opportunities to strengthen security, peace and stability in the region, address issues through a cooperative approach to security, and prioritize peace and prosperity over confrontation.

By Jeyhun Aghazada