Turkey Says Military Pact With Pakistan, Saudi Arabia Mirrors NATO's Article 5

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has said that the defence pact signed between Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia is technically equivalent to NATO's Article 5 mutual defence agreement. He also clarified that the accord is not aimed at Iran.

The "Mecca Joint Defence Agreement" was signed on Friday by the three regional powers. In a joint statement, they said the accord is intended to strengthen collective deterrence against any act of aggression. It stipulates that an armed attack against any one of the three countries would be regarded as an attack on all.

Speaking to the state-run Anadolu news agency, Fidan said the new alliance was not directed against Iran or any other country. He described it as a general pledge to support the security of the three allies. In the event of an attack, the allies would decide through consultations the degree, form, and format of support they would provide. No country would be considered a threat as long as a member state had not been attacked.

Turkey has the second-largest army in NATO. Fidan noted that the pact was open to expansion to other regional countries and that it did not seek to replace existing alliances. He said, "NATO is a giant military alliance where there are 32 countries. We have started here as three countries and we have to take very humble but concrete steps." He added that efforts to finalise the pact had been underway for two years and eight months.

The foreign minister also said a committee of ministers similar to that within NATO would be formed as part of the alliance. A general secretariat based in Saudi Arabia would also be established. Operational details would be set at the first committee meeting.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan wants the alliance to expand and bring all regional countries under this roof, Fidan said. He mentioned Egypt as a potential candidate once certain technical matters are resolved.

In recent months, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Egypt have formed a group called R4 to address regional issues, including the situation involving Iran. Turkey has said the group aims to solidify its partnership through concrete mechanisms.

Fidan also said Turkey should be involved in an international coalition to protect shipping in the Red Sea from Houthi attacks, because shipping safety concerned Ankara's interests.

The three signatory countries are important US allies in the region. The pact comes amid heightened regional tensions, including recent missile exchanges involving Iran and Gulf states. The agreement is seen as a step towards deeper defence cooperation among the three nations, though details of implementation are yet to be determined.