Joint Defense Agreement: Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan Convene First Istanbul Meeting

The Joint Defense Agreement is set to enter its implementation phase as Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan prepare to hold the first meeting of their joint committee in Istanbul on Monday, according to a source at Turkey’s Foreign Ministry.

The source said the meeting will bring together the foreign ministers, defense ministers, and chiefs of staff of the three countries for the first official session since the signing of the Turkey–Pakistan–Saudi Arabia Defense Agreement on Aug. 7.

According to the source, the agenda is expected to include international security, strengthening defense capabilities, improving interoperability among the armed forces, and expanding cooperation in the defense industry, including joint production and development.

What Is the Joint Defense Agreement?

Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan signed the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement on Aug. 7 with the aim of strengthening collective deterrence and military coordination among the three countries.

The agreement provides that an armed attack against any member state would be considered an attack against all parties, reflecting a collective defense principle similar to Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty. Profile News previously outlined the agreement’s main provisions following its signing.

What Will the Istanbul Meeting Discuss?

According to the source, the meeting’s agenda includes international security issues, enhancing military coordination, improving interoperability among the armed forces, and expanding cooperation in defense industries, including joint production and development.

The foreign ministers, defense ministers, and chiefs of staff of the three countries are expected to attend what will be the joint committee’s first official meeting since the agreement was signed.

Why Is the Meeting Significant?

The meeting comes amid continuing regional tensions linked to the war with Iran and its broader security and economic repercussions, as well as ongoing concerns over security in the Gulf and the wider Middle East.

The source said the agreement is not intended to replace existing military alliances but rather to strengthen defense cooperation among the three countries. The source also indicated that the framework could be expanded in the future to include additional countries, including Egypt, a possibility previously discussed in earlier Profile News reports.

What Do We Know So Far?

• The meeting is scheduled to take place in Istanbul on Monday.
• It will be attended by the foreign ministers, defense ministers, and chiefs of staff of the three countries.
• It marks the first meeting of the joint committee since the agreement was signed.
• The agenda includes international security, defense cooperation, and defense industries.
• No official decisions or outcomes have been announced yet.

Can the Agreement Be Expanded?

According to the source, the agreement is not intended to replace existing military alliances but creates a framework for broader defense cooperation among participating countries. The source added that additional countries, including Egypt, could join in the future, a scenario explored in previous analyses of the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the joint committee hold its first meeting?

According to a source at Turkey’s Foreign Ministry, the first meeting is scheduled to take place in Istanbul on Monday.

Who will attend the meeting?

The meeting will bring together the foreign ministers, defense ministers, and chiefs of staff of Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan.

Have any outcomes been announced?

No. The meeting has not yet taken place, and no official decisions or concluding statement have been released.

Sources

• Reuters – Source at Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (as reported by Reuters).