Turkey, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia defence pact technically same as NATO's Article 5, Turkish minister says

A new defense pact signed between Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia is technically equivalent to NATO's Article 5 mutual defense agreement, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced Saturday. He emphasized that the accord is not aimed at Iran.

The "Mecca Joint Defence Agreement," signed Friday by the three regional powers, is designed to bolster collective deterrence against any act of aggression. It stipulates that an armed attack against any of the signatories will be considered an attack on all.

Fidan stated that the new alliance is intended as a general pledge to support the security of the three allies, rather than being directed at any specific country. He added that the allies would collectively decide the form and extent of support required in the event of an attack.

Turkey, which possesses NATO's second-largest army, has indicated that the pact is open for expansion to other regional nations and does not seek to replace existing alliances. "NATO is a giant military alliance where there are 32 countries. We have started here as three countries and we have to take very humble but concrete steps," Fidan remarked, noting that efforts to finalize the pact had been ongoing for two years and eight months.

He also mentioned that a ministerial committee, similar to NATO's structure, would be formed, along with a general secretariat based in Saudi Arabia. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's vision, Fidan added, is for the alliance to grow beyond its initial three members, potentially including Egypt once certain technical matters are resolved. Turkey also believes it should participate in an international coalition to protect shipping in the Red Sea from Houthi attacks, as shipping safety concerns Ankara's interests.

“

We have started here as three countries and we have to take very humble but concrete steps.