Istanbul: Turkey’s parliament has ratified the Makkah Mutual Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, marking a significant development in regional defence cooperation.
According to Turkish media, the 600-member Turkish parliament approved the agreement with 279 votes in favour and 119 against. A total of 398 lawmakers participated in the voting.
Under the agreement, which will come into force following parliamentary approval, an attack on any one of the three parties will be considered an attack against all members.
The chairman of the Turkish Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee said the alliance was entirely defensive in nature and was not aimed at attacking any other country.
Ziya Altunyaldiz, a member of the ruling Justice and Development Party, said the agreement was intended to promote security cooperation in the region.
Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed the agreement in Makkah on August 7. The signing ceremony was attended by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The agreement expressed a commitment to strengthening collective security, enhancing defence cooperation, and promoting peace and stability in the region and across the world.
Under the Makkah Mutual Defence Agreement, the alliance’s secretariat will be established in Saudi Arabia. Retired Pakistani General Nauman Mahmood has been selected as its first Secretary-General and is expected to serve a three-year term.