Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has raised the possibility of establishing a future joint defence framework involving countries in the South Caucasus, as Azerbaijan and Armenia move towards a final peace agreement.
Speaking on Anadolu Agency's “Editor’s Desk” programme, Fidan said a security arrangement similar to the Mecca agreement recently signed by Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan could eventually be considered for the Caucasus.
“Over time, there may also be a need to create a similar agreement, a defence alliance, in the Caucasus,” Fidan said.
Fidan linked the possibility of deeper regional security cooperation to progress between Azerbaijan and Armenia, saying Ankara supports efforts by the two countries to reach a final peace agreement.
According to the Turkish foreign minister, a settlement between Baku and Yerevan could create both security and economic opportunities across the South Caucasus.
“Türkiye has a similar strategic position for the Middle East, the Caucasus, the Mediterranean basin and Europe,” Fidan said, arguing that Ankara's expanding partnerships strengthen its diplomatic influence across several regions.
Türkiye has maintained close strategic and military ties with Azerbaijan while also pursuing a normalisation process with Armenia, which Ankara has linked closely to progress in relations between Baku and Yerevan.
Fidan's comments come days after Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a joint defence agreement in Mecca on 7 August.
Under the agreement, an armed attack against any one of the three countries would be considered an attack against all parties, establishing a collective defence mechanism between the three states.
Fidan suggested that a similar model could eventually become relevant in the Caucasus as the region's security environment evolves.
Any such arrangement would represent a significant development for the South Caucasus, where Türkiye has sought to promote regional connectivity and economic cooperation alongside efforts to establish lasting peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
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