ANKARA: Egypt could join the defence pact signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Saturday, describing the agreement as technically similar to NATO’s Article 5 mutual-defence principle.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement on Friday, committing to treat an armed attack against any one of the three countries as an attack against all three.
Fidan said the agreement was not directed against Iran or any other country and was intended to strengthen collective security and deterrence.
What Does the Defence Pact Provide?
Speaking to state-run Anadolu news agency, Fidan said the three countries would consult each other following an attack to determine the nature, scale and form of assistance required.
He said the agreement should not be interpreted as identifying any country as a threat unless it attacks one of the members.
The three countries said in their joint statement that the pact was designed to strengthen collective deterrence against aggression.
Fidan said the agreement was not intended to replace existing alliances and remained open to other regional countries.
Türkiye, which has NATO’s second-largest military, has been involved in efforts to develop the agreement for about two years and eight months, according to Fidan.
How Could the Alliance Expand?
Fidan said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wanted the alliance to expand beyond its three founding members, with Egypt among the countries being considered.
He said Egypt could potentially join once technical matters are resolved.
A ministerial committee similar to NATO’s structures is also expected to be established, while a general secretariat would be based in Saudi Arabia. Fidan said the operational details would be determined at the alliance’s first committee meeting.
In recent months, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Egypt have also worked together through a regional group known as R4 to address regional issues, including the conflict involving Iran.
Fidan said Türkiye should also participate in an international coalition aimed at protecting shipping in the Red Sea from Houthi attacks, arguing that the safety of maritime trade is directly linked to Turkish interests.
What Have Turkish Leaders Said About the Pact?
Erdogan said Friday that the agreement “targets no country” and remains open to participation by other regional countries.
He said the pact is based on collective deterrence and would strengthen defence cooperation, joint defence-industry projects and efforts to combat terrorism.
Erdogan also said the agreement reaffirmed the right of self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter.
He reiterated Türkiye’s support for resolving regional conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy and said Ankara would continue advocating a regional approach based on international law.
The Makkah agreement therefore represents an emerging regional defence framework centred on Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, with the possibility of further expansion.