MAKKAH, August 7, 2026: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said the newly signed Makkah defence agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye is not directed against any country and remains open to friendly states seeking peace, prosperity and regional stability.
Explaining the scope of the trilateral pact in a statement posted on his official X account, Erdoğan said the framework would strengthen collective defence capabilities, deepen security coordination and support joint projects in the defence industry.
His remarks provided the clearest public explanation yet of the objectives behind the agreement signed after talks with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Makkah. Türkiye’s Directorate of Communications had earlier confirmed Erdoğan’s visit and the planned trilateral signing.
Pact Designed to Strengthen Collective Defence
Erdoğan said the agreement would help Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye strengthen their security and defence cooperation through greater coordination and shared capabilities.
The pact is also expected to promote joint defence industry projects and expand cooperation against terrorism, he added.
The Turkish president said the framework was based on collective defence, allowing the three countries to improve preparedness and respond more effectively to shared security challenges.
Erdoğan Invokes Article 51 of UN Charter
Erdoğan said the agreement reaffirmed the right to individual and collective self-defence recognised under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.
Article 51 preserves the inherent right of UN member states to defend themselves individually or collectively in the event of an armed attack.
By linking the agreement to the UN Charter, Erdoğan framed the pact as a defensive security mechanism rather than an offensive military alliance.
Agreement Open to Other Friendly Countries
The Turkish leader stressed that the Makkah defence pact was not formed against any state.
He said countries that support regional peace, stability and prosperity could also participate in the framework, indicating that the agreement may eventually extend beyond its three founding members.
The statement distinguishes the arrangement from a closed military bloc and presents it as a wider platform for security cooperation among friendly states sharing similar objectives.
Defence Industry and Counterterrorism Cooperation
Erdoğan identified defence production and counterterrorism as two major areas of cooperation under the agreement.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye are expected to explore joint defence projects, strengthen institutional coordination and improve their ability to respond to conventional and emerging threats.
The three countries already maintain close political and defence ties, while the new framework formally brings their cooperation under a trilateral structure.
Türkiye Reaffirms Support for Diplomacy
Despite the pact’s emphasis on defence preparedness, Erdoğan said Türkiye would remain committed to resolving conflicts and crises through dialogue and diplomacy.
He said Ankara would continue pursuing its principled position of supporting negotiations while maintaining strong security and defence capabilities.
Erdoğan expressed hope that his visit to Makkah, the trilateral consultations and the agreement would contribute to peace, stability and prosperity across the wider region.
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