Erdogan in Saudi Arabia to sign defense deal with Riyadh and Pakistan

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan landed in Saudi Arabia on Friday for a crucial working visit, signaling a deepening of ties with Riyadh and Islamabad. The centerpiece of the visit is the anticipated signing of a trilateral defense agreement involving Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, a move that gains significance amid escalating regional tensions.

Erdogan's arrival in Jeddah was confirmed by the official Saudi news agency SPA, though details were sparse. The Turkish leader is set to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. This meeting is particularly relevant as it follows Saudi Arabia's recent establishment of a Multinational Alliance for Maritime Security, aimed at safeguarding navigation in the Red Sea. Both Turkey and Pakistan are among the 14 countries that have backed this initiative.

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will sign a trilateral defense agreement.

The visit underscores a shared strategic interest in regional stability and security. Discussions are expected to focus on maritime security, broader Middle East developments, and strengthening defense cooperation. For Pakistan's Prime Minister Sharif, whose visit also spans two days, the trip aims to "deepen strategic cooperation, improve multilateral coordination and reinforce an alliance anchored in decades of mutual trust," according to Pakistani diplomacy. This coordinated effort among the three nations reflects a proactive approach to navigating the complex geopolitical landscape of the region.

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in a context of growing tensions in the Gulf and will serve to deepen strategic cooperation, improve multilateral coordination and reinforce an alliance anchored in decades of mutual trust.