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Erdogan: Makkah Agreement Enhances Deterrence, Targets No Country
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia /Conflict & Security

Erdogan: Makkah Agreement Enhances Deterrence, Targets No Country

From Asharq Al-Awsat · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Turkish President Erdogan described relations with Saudi Arabia as strategic and anticipates elevating them to higher levels.
  • He stated the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement enhances deterrence and regional stability, not targeting any specific country, and is open to other nations.
  • Erdogan called for an immediate stop to Israeli attacks on Lebanon and expressed hope for lasting peace and reconstruction in Syria, while vowing to prevent threats to Turkey's security from northern Syria.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan emphasized the strategic nature of his country's relationship with Saudi Arabia, anticipating significant advancements in their ties. He revealed that upcoming phases will witness steps designed to elevate bilateral relations to much higher levels.

Our hope and expectation is that the current tension will end as soon as possible, and that the Strait of Hormuz will return to performing its role in serving international trade in a safe, stable, and uninterrupted manner.

— Recep Tayyip ErdoganExpressing hope for the resolution of current tensions affecting the Strait of Hormuz and its role in global trade.

Speaking following the signing of the "Makkah Joint Defense Agreement" with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Erdogan clarified the agreement's purpose. He stated it is a mistake to view the pact solely as a reaction to regional tensions, particularly between the U.S. and Iran. Instead, he highlighted its primary goal is to bolster deterrence, strengthen the security incentives of the signatories through solidarity, and protect regional stability.

it is a mistake to reduce the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement to being viewed as a mere situational reflection of the escalation between the US and Iran.

— Recep Tayyip ErdoganClarifying the broader strategic purpose of the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement beyond immediate regional conflicts.

Erdogan stressed that the agreement reaffirms the right to defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter and explicitly stated that it does not target any country. He extended an open invitation to "sisterly nations" wishing to join the pact.

the primary goal of this agreement is to enhance its deterrent dimension, fortify the security incentive of the parties by strengthening the spirit of solidarity among them, and protect regional stability.

— Recep Tayyip ErdoganExplaining the core objectives of the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement, focusing on deterrence and solidarity.

In broader regional security matters, Erdogan demanded an immediate cessation of Israeli attacks on Lebanon. He also commented on Syria, noting it has entered a new phase and expressing a strong aspiration for this period to lead to lasting peace, stability, and reconstruction. Concurrently, he pledged that Turkey will not permit any organizations or entities in northern Syria that could threaten its national security.

it "does not target any country," but is rather "open to all sisterly nations wishing to join it."

— Recep Tayyip ErdoganReassuring that the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement is defensive in nature and inclusive of regional partners.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Asharq Al-Awsat in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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