Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan says Egypt could join the newly signed defence agreement between Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, suggesting the pact could eventually grow into a wider regional security framework.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Erdoğan said the agreement was not limited to its three founding members and that other countries could join if conditions allow.
The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement was signed last week 7 August by Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. It includes a collective defence provision under which an attack against one member would be considered an attack against all three.
Türkiye’s Defence Ministry said the agreement would create political and military coordination mechanisms involving defence and foreign ministers as well as military chiefs. The pact is also expected to expand cooperation in defence industries, including joint exercises, production and technology sharing.
Previously, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan had mentioned on 8 August that Türkiye expected Egypt to join the pact saying there were only "a few technical issues" that stood in the way.
Egyptian Foreign Minister, Badr Abdelatty, said on Thursday (13 August) that Egypt was "engaging" in a regional defence pact announced last week between Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
His comments came during a joint news conference held in Egypt's New Alamein city with his Turkish counterpart, Fidan.
The three Sunni Muslim U.S. allies said the accord stipulates that an armed attack against any member would be regarded as an attack on all, similar to NATO's Article 5 collective defence clause.
At a weekly briefing in Ankara, Turkish defence ministry said the pact's fundamental goal was to ensure defence and military ties were put on a "more institutional and sustainable" footing.
"They are currently evaluating it with certain details. But Egypt is our natural partner. God willing, it will soon become our official partner as well," Fidan said.
The agreement comes as countries across the region reassess security arrangements amid tensions linked to Iran, Gaza, Lebanon and the Strait of Hormuz.
Erdoğan said the pact reflected a need for regional actors to take greater responsibility for security, arguing that regional issues should be addressed through regional cooperation.
He also said that Türkiye would continue supporting stability efforts and diplomatic initiatives in Syria, Gaza and Lebanon.
U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have arrived in Moscow for peace talks on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, two people familiar wi...
An Iranian tanker was hit by U.S. forces on Saturday near Iran's key oil export hub, Kharg Island, in the Gulf...
Spanish authorities are preparing a new site in Ceuta to accommodate hundreds of migrants who remain on the str...
U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will visit Russia then Ukraine over the weekend, Russian state news agency TASS has reported, citing an unnamed source. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also said American envoys will visit the capitals of both countries.
U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have arrived in Moscow for peace talks on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, two people familiar with the matter said. They were met by Russian Presidential Envoy Kirill Dmitriev.
U.S. efforts to squeeze Iran’s economy through an oil blockade and sanctions are becoming increasingly difficult for Tehran to withstand, according to three senior Iranian sources. Washington is escalating pressure in hopes of securing concessions in future negotiations.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 4th of September, covering the latest developments.
Two people have been rescued alive from a tunnel in Nepal, nine days after catastrophic floods devastated the country, as rescuers continue searching for survivors.
A Chinese national was pulled alive from a tunnel in Nepal on Saturday, authorities said, 10 days after a wall of ice, rock and mud tore through a Himalayan valley, killing more than 1,300 people and leaving more than 5,600 missing.
U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have arrived in Moscow for peace talks on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, two people familiar with the matter said. They were met by Russian Presidential Envoy Kirill Dmitriev.
Spanish authorities are preparing a new site in Ceuta to accommodate hundreds of migrants who remain on the streets following large-scale arrivals in July, local media reported Saturday.
At least two people were killed and dozens injured on Friday after an explosion at a military barracks in the Bolivian municipality of Viacha, about 30 km (20 miles) from La Paz, Defence Minister Ernesto Justiniano said.
The resolution, sponsored by African countries and led by Togo, passed by 164 votes to one, with six abstentions. The United States was the only country to vote against it.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment