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The Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the inaugural session of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee established under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement opened in Istanbul on Monday. The ministry detailed that the gathering brings together the foreign and defense ministers along with the chiefs of general staff from Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan to translate the recent trilateral pact into practical measures. Discussions center on providing strategic direction for all activities outlined in the agreement signed earlier this month, according to the Turkish statement.
Türkiye is hosting the committee meeting, which the ministry said reflects its pivotal role in the new security framework. The Saudi delegation includes Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman and Chief of the General Staff Gen. Fayyadh Al-Ruwaili. Pakistan sent Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir to the Istanbul venue.
International security developments top the agenda for the high-level talks, a Turkish Foreign Ministry briefing indicated. Participants will examine ways to bolster defense capabilities across the three countries while promoting greater interoperability among their armed forces. The committee is also scheduled to advance cooperation in the defense industry through joint production projects and research and development efforts.
Officials plan to reinforce collaborative counterterrorism initiatives during the session, according to the ministry’s outline. The meeting will establish the framework for a permanent secretariat and associated mechanisms to coordinate future joint work under the pact. A detailed roadmap for subsequent steps in the alliance is expected to result from the deliberations.
The Makkah Joint Defense Agreement was signed on August 7 in Makkah by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Turkish authorities reported. The pact specifies that an armed attack against any one participant is to be regarded as an attack against all three, while opening the door to partnerships with other actors who respect international law and pursue peaceful regional cooperation. The agreement builds on years of existing military and security collaboration among the three nations.
The newly formed committee exists to supply overarching guidance for implementation of the defense accord, the Turkish Foreign Ministry stated. This first gathering represents the initial operational phase following the pact’s formalization. Similar trilateral engagements have occurred in the past, though this marks the launch of a dedicated strategic body to sustain long-term coordination.
