Trkiye, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia Establish Secretariat Under Mecca Defence Pact

Istanbul: Trkiye, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia have moved forward with the institutionalization of the Mecca Defence Alliance by agreeing to establish a secretariat under the Mecca Defence Agreement. This announcement was made by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan following the inaugural meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee in Istanbul. According to TRTworld.com, the meeting marked the first formal institutional decisions taken by the Mecca Defence Alliance. Fidan expressed gratitude to officials involved, emphasizing the significance of this development for regional cooperation. The gathering included foreign and defence ministers, alongside the chiefs of general staff from the three countries, signifying a unified commitment to the pact. A joint statement released post-meeting highlighted the collective intent of Trkiye, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia to further institutionalize their cooperation under the Mecca Agreement for Joint Defence. The statement underscored the countries' determin ation to work collaboratively for sustainable peace and stability in the region. Efforts towards de-escalation, restraint, and peaceful resolution of crises were identified as key objectives. The establishment of a secretariat in Saudi Arabia was a significant outcome of the meeting. The secretariat, headed by a Secretary General from Pakistan for an initial three-year term, will support activities conducted under the Mecca Agreement. This move aims to enhance the solidarity and effectiveness of the alliance's collective deterrence and defence strategies. In addition, the three nations committed to strengthening their defence capabilities and cohesion through joint activities. This includes robust defence industry cooperation, as well as joint technology development and production. The institutionalized implementation of the Mecca Agreement is expected to make essential contributions to regional peace and stability.