The Kabul Tribune (KT) — Senior officials from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye will meet in Istanbul on Monday for the first committee meeting under a joint defense agreement signed earlier this month, Pakistani media outlet Dawn reported.
Foreign and defense ministers, as well as the chiefs of staff of the three countries, are expected to attend the meeting, according to the report.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye signed the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement on Aug. 7 in Makkah. The agreement was signed by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The pact seeks to strengthen collective deterrence and stipulates that an armed attack against any one of the three countries would be regarded as an attack against all three, a provision similar to NATO's Article 5 collective defense clause.
Dawn reported that international security issues will be on the agenda at Monday's meeting. Discussions are expected to focus on strengthening defense capabilities, improving interoperability among the three countries' armed forces and expanding cooperation in the defense industry, including joint production and development.
The meeting comes as regional countries seek to strengthen security cooperation amid heightened tensions in the Middle East.
Turkiye has NATO's second-largest military, while Pakistan is the world's only nuclear-armed Muslim-majority country and Saudi Arabia is one of the world's largest oil exporters.
Turkish officials have said the agreement is defensive in nature and does not target any country. Erdogan has also said the pact is open to other countries seeking peace, prosperity and stability in the region.
Egypt has been mentioned as a potential future participant.
The three countries have also indicated that the agreement is not intended to replace their existing bilateral or multilateral security arrangements.
Dawn reported that the first committee meeting is expected to establish mechanisms for implementing the agreement and expanding military and defense-industry cooperation among the three countries.
