Turkey proposes expansion of the Mecca defense agreement

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced his ambition to expand the recently signed Mecca defense agreement, which currently involves Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan, into a broader regional security framework. In a recent interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Erdogan described the alliance not as a closed club but as an open structure designed to foster peace and stability under a common security umbrella. The president emphasized that regional issues should be resolved by regional powers, noting that the agreement represents a first step toward local nations taking greater responsibility for their own security.

The initiative follows the signing of the pact last Friday amid ongoing regional conflicts. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has signaled that Egypt could potentially join the alliance in the next stage, with a visit to Cairo scheduled for this coming Thursday and Friday. However, reports indicate that both Egyptian and Saudi leaders maintain reservations regarding this expansion. While the agreement includes a mutual defense clause, the prospect of its growth remains subject to ongoing diplomatic discussions as Ankara continues to explore new strategic partnerships in the Middle East.