Erdogan to Asharq Al-Awsat: Makkah Agreement Boosts Deterrence, Targets No Country

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described the nation's relationship with Saudi Arabia as "strategic," anticipating steps to elevate ties to "much higher levels." He highlighted the importance of the Strait of Hormuz as a vital economic artery, expressing hope for the swift resolution of current tensions to ensure uninterrupted global trade.

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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.

Erdogan's remarks followed the signing of the "Makkah Joint Defense Agreement" with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He cautioned against viewing the agreement solely as a reaction to US-Iran escalation, stressing its primary goal is to bolster deterrence, enhance solidarity among parties, and fortify regional stability. He affirmed the agreement upholds the right to defense under the UN Charter and is open to all nations wishing to join, explicitly stating it does not target any country.

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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.

The Turkish leader also demanded an immediate halt to Israeli attacks on Lebanon. Regarding Syria, he noted the country has entered a "new phase" and expressed a strong aspiration for lasting peace, stability, and reconstruction. Erdogan reiterated Turkey's commitment to preventing any entities in northern Syria that could threaten its security.

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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.

Erdogan explained the Makkah agreement's genesis stemmed from regional developments and the three nations' shared responsibilities. He reiterated the belief that regional issues should be resolved by regional actors, viewing the agreement as a significant first step toward this objective. He underscored the importance of synergy and solidarity among friendly nations, especially in light of recent events, and stressed that the agreement reaffirms the right to defense as stipulated in Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.

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Israeli attacks on Lebanon must stop immediately.