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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Conflict & Security

Turkiye FM Asks Egypt to Sign Mecca Defense Pact, Is 'Muslim NATO' Imminent?

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency New plan
  • Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan hopes Egypt will join a new defense pact signed by Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia.
  • The agreement, dubbed the "Mecca Joint Defense Agreement," aims to strengthen regional stability and collective deterrence.
  • Fidan stressed the pact is not aimed at any specific country and that Egypt is a "natural partner" with only technical issues preventing immediate membership.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan expressed his hope that Egypt will soon join a burgeoning regional defense alliance, a pact initially signed by Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia. The agreement, officially named the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, was established on Friday amidst escalating regional tensions and conflicts, including the war involving Iran and disruptions to vital shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea.

I believe that in the next stage, Egypt will also become part of our alliance. Even now, we are acting as if we are members of the alliance.

— Hakan FidanTurkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan expressing optimism about Egypt joining the new defense pact.

In an interview with the official Anadolu news agency, Fidan conveyed optimism about Egypt's potential integration into the alliance, referring to Cairo as a "natural partner in all issues." He stated, "I believe that in the next stage, Egypt will also become part of our alliance. Even now, we are acting as if we are members of the alliance." Fidan noted that "only a few technical issues" remain before Egypt can formally join, adding, "there is no reason for Egypt not to become part of this agreement."

Fidan reiterated that the defense pact is not intended to target any specific nation. "There is no common threat that we have put in writing," he asserted. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan confirmed on Friday that the pact operates on the principle of collective security: an attack on one member will be considered an attack on all, thereby strengthening collective deterrence.

There is no common threat that we have put in writing.

— Hakan FidanTurkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan clarifying the non-aggressive intent of the defense pact.

The agreement, which has been publicly referred to as a "Muslim NATO," aims to bolster stability in West Asia. The initial signatories, Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia, are all US allies concerned about regional instability and Iranian influence. The inclusion of Egypt, a significant regional power, would considerably enhance the alliance's weight and scope.

Only a few technical issues. Once those are resolved, there is no reason for Egypt not to become part of this agreement.

— Hakan FidanTurkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on the remaining obstacles for Egypt's membership.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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