DOHA: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said Egypt could join a new mutual defence pact between Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
Erdogan made the comments in an interview with Al Jazeera. He said Cairo’s possible entry was among several options under consideration as the pact expands.
The three countries signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement in Saudi Arabia last Friday.
Egypt Could Become a New Member
Erdogan said the agreement remains open to additional members.
He indicated that Egypt could become the next country to join the pact.
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The Turkish president did not say when Egypt could join. He also did not provide details about any formal talks with Cairo.
The possible expansion comes as regional governments seek closer security ties amid conflicts and instability across the Middle East.
Pact Creates Mutual Defence Commitment
Erdogan said the agreement had sent an important message to the world.
Under the pact, an armed attack against any one of the three members would be treated as an attack against all three.
The countries would then coordinate their response to an external threat.
The arrangement has drawn comparisons with NATO’s Article 5.
However, Pakistani officials have cautioned against calling the agreement a regional version of NATO.
Islamabad has also said the pact does not target any specific country.
Erdogan Calls for Strait of Hormuz to Reopen
During the interview, Erdogan also discussed the Strait of Hormuz.
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He said reopening the strategic waterway remains a priority for Ankara.
Erdogan argued that continued disruption of the strait is damaging to all sides.
The Strait of Hormuz serves as a major energy route. It connects Gulf oil and gas producers with global markets.
Turkey Backs Regional Mediation
Erdogan praised Qatar for its role in regional mediation efforts.
He said Doha had made significant contributions to efforts to reduce tensions and end ongoing conflicts.
The Turkish president also discussed the situations in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria.
Erdogan Discusses Syria
Erdogan said Turkiye would continue supporting efforts to restore stability in Syria.
He also said he would not abandon neighbouring countries during the current regional turmoil.
The Turkish president said he planned to visit Syria.
He also stressed that Syria’s Kurdish population should have a role in future peace and stability.
Erdogan said Turkiye would continue strengthening ties with Kurdish communities and supporting their rights across the region.
Erdogan Says Turkey Will Support Gaza
Turning to Gaza, Erdogan said Turkiye could not leave Palestinians alone during the conflict.
“Turkiye cannot leave Gaza alone,” Erdogan said.
He added that Ankara would continue providing political and humanitarian support.
Erdogan said Hamas was acting in good faith and meeting its commitments.
At the same time, he accused Israel of continuing its military campaign.
Lebanon and Sudan Also Discussed
Erdogan expressed concern about Israeli attacks on Lebanon.
He said he discussed the conflict with US President Donald Trump during Trump’s recent visit to Turkiye.
According to Erdogan, Washington has an important role in ending the fighting.
He said he urged Trump to support efforts to stop the war.
Erdogan also addressed developments in Sudan and Libya.
He said Turkiye would continue supporting Sudan. He also described his relationship with Sudanese Sovereignty Council chief Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan as positive.
On Libya, Erdogan said relations between Ankara and Tripoli remained stable.
He added that Turkiye would not abandon Libya.
Erdogan Says EU Membership Is No Longer a Priority
Erdogan also spoke about Turkiye’s relationship with the European Union.
He said EU membership was no longer a major priority for Ankara.
The Turkish president accused European leaders of lacking the political will to admit Turkiye.
He warned that Europe could lose more than Turkiye if the accession process remains stalled.
Turkiye has held EU candidate status since 1999. However, accession talks have remained frozen for years.
The dispute involves democratic standards, regional issues and foreign policy differences.
Turkey Seeks Return to F-35 Programme
Erdogan also discussed Turkiye’s efforts to return to the US-led F-35 fighter jet programme.
He said Trump had made a commitment regarding the aircraft.
Erdogan added that Turkiye was waiting for Washington to honour that commitment.
The United States removed Turkiye from the F-35 programme in 2019.
The move followed Ankara’s purchase of the Russian-made S-400 air defence system.
US officials argued that the S-400 could gather sensitive information about the F-35’s stealth capabilities.
Washington later imposed sanctions on Turkiye under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act.
F-35 Return Could Face US Congressional Opposition
During a NATO summit in Ankara last month, Trump said his administration planned to lift the sanctions.
He also said Washington would consider allowing Turkiye to return to the F-35 programme.
However, the plan could face opposition in the US Congress.
A 2020 law prevents the Pentagon from transferring F-35 aircraft to Turkiye while Ankara retains the S-400 system.
Defence Pact Could Reshape Regional Cooperation
Erdogan’s comments highlight Turkiye’s efforts to strengthen regional security partnerships.
At the same time, Ankara continues to pursue a more independent defence and foreign policy.
If Egypt joins the Makkah pact, the alliance would bring together four major military powers in the region.
Such an expansion could strengthen security cooperation across the Middle East and the wider Muslim world.
Tags:
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Egypt, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, Defence Pact, Saudi Pakistan Relations, Turkiye Pakistan Relations, Egypt Turkiye Relations, Middle East Security, Strait of Hormuz, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, F-35, NATO, Donald Trump, International Affairs
