Turkey submits trilateral Mecca defence pact to parliament

Turkey has submitted a defence agreement with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan to parliament for ratification, advancing a pact that commits the three countries to mutual assistance in the event of an external armed attack.

The 16-article Mecca Defence Pact was signed on August 7. Under its first two articles, the parties pledge to protect one another’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and internationally recognised borders, using “all necessary means” to address threats. An armed attack against one member would be treated as an attack against all, with each country determining the nature and extent of its support after assessing what assistance is required. That support may include military capabilities.

The agreement also provides for intelligence sharing, military training, logistical support, defence-industry cooperation and joint research and development. It calls for cooperation against terrorism and establishes a committee involving the three countries’ foreign and defence ministers. Additional countries may join with the unanimous approval of the founding members.

Middle East Eye reported that the pact has no fixed expiration date but prevents a signatory from withdrawing during its first 10 years. After that period, withdrawal requires at least three months’ written notice.

Turkey’s parliament must approve the agreement before it becomes legally binding for Ankara. The National reported that some structures envisioned by the pact, including a secretary general and a central Strategic Political and Defence Committee, have already been established. The three countries also held an emergency meeting this month to arrange rapid military deployments to Saudi Arabia in response to Houthi attacks.