The tripartite agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye has been officially named the Makkah Defence Alliance, with the first secretary general to be appointed from Pakistan, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced on Monday. The statement came during a press conference following the inaugural meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee established under the agreement, held in Istanbul.
The meeting, hosted by Turkiye at the Ciragan Palace, brought together the foreign and defence ministers of the three countries, along with senior military officials. Pakistan was represented by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir. Saudi Arabia’s delegation included Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman.
In his remarks, Fidan highlighted that the meeting focused on concrete steps for implementing the agreement and facilitating an exchange of views. “As of today, we have started the process of establishing the institutional structure of the alliance,” he said, confirming the official name as the Makkah Defence Alliance. He added that a secretariat has been established in Riyadh, and the first secretary general will be appointed from Pakistan.
The Turkish foreign minister expressed optimism about the outcomes of the discussions, stating that decisions were made on how and when to begin institutionalisation. He hoped the meeting’s decisions would yield “excellent results” for the region.
Fidan emphasized that the Makkah Defence Alliance is based on international principles such as respecting the sovereignty of other states, territorial integrity, and non-interference in internal affairs. He clarified that the alliance is not directed against any country and is open to the partnership and participation of other nations, subject to certain conditions, rules, and standards. He noted that the alliance’s nature is such that it is expected to expand, but stressed the importance of institutionalisation to ensure it functions properly before new members join.
The foreign minister also clarified that the alliance does not diminish the member countries’ responsibilities under other agreements or alliances. He expressed hope that Monday’s meeting demonstrated the three nations’ readiness to take responsibility for regional security and stability. “We will closely cooperate with friendly countries, and we will continue coordinating our efforts,” he added.
The formation of the Makkah Defence Alliance marks a significant step in trilateral cooperation, with the first secretary general from Pakistan underscoring the country’s central role in this new framework. As the alliance moves forward with its institutional structure, it aims to foster security and stability in the region while remaining open to broader participation.
Source: Dawn News