ISTANBUL — Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye are moving ahead with the institutional setup of their Mecca defense alliance.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the alliance is making good progress. He also said the three countries remain committed to turning the agreement into an operational framework.
Secretariat and Headquarters
Fidan said the three countries have reached an understanding on the alliance’s institutional structure.
They are also preparing to establish a secretariat in Saudi Arabia. The next step will include setting up a joint military headquarters and assigning personnel.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that the secretariat will be based in Saudi Arabia. A Pakistani secretary general will initially lead it for three years.
The three countries agreed to strengthen cooperation under the Makkah Agreement during their first Strategic Political and Defence Committee meeting in Istanbul on Aug. 31.
Alliance Moves Toward Operational Phase
Fidan said preparations for the secretariat and military headquarters are almost complete.
The three countries have also agreed on how the new structures will operate. Personnel assignments will follow once the facilities become operational.
Meanwhile, the agreement also calls for stronger defense cooperation. This includes joint activities, technology development and defense production.
The three countries signed the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement in August. The pact provides a framework for collective defense among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.
