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Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan discussed convening an urgent meeting of their military chiefs to explore ways to assist Riyadh under the Mecca pact, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said Friday.
The pact treats an attack on any member as an attack on all. The three countries' foreign ministers condemned attacks targeting Mecca "in the strongest terms" and backed Saudi Arabia's right to defend itself.
The ministers also discussed convening an urgent meeting of the three countries' chiefs of staff to explore ways to assist the kingdom under the pact.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar met Thursday on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, according to a joint statement released by Pakistan's Foreign Ministry.
The ministers discussed plans for an urgent meeting of the chiefs of staff of Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, the statement said.
The meeting would explore ways to assist the kingdom under the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, which stipulates that an attack against any one of its parties shall be considered an attack against all.
The ministers condemned what they called "heinous attacks" targeting the holy city of Mecca and civilian and economic facilities in Saudi Arabia, the statement said.
They praised the vigilance of the Saudi Armed Forces and their ability to defend the kingdom's security.
The ministers reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's right to take the measures it deems appropriate to defend its security, in line with Article 51 of the U.N. Charter, according to the statement.
The ministers also discussed plans for an urgent meeting of the chiefs of staff of Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. The meeting would explore ways to assist the kingdom under the agreement, the statement said.
The ministers reviewed progress toward establishing the agreement's General Secretariat, committees and working groups, as well as preparations for them to begin work, the statement said.
The ministers also discussed the situation in the region.
They stressed the importance of upholding international law, good neighborliness, mutual respect for state sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs, as well as ensuring the security and freedom of navigation.
They reiterated their determination to work together toward sustainable peace and stability in the region, support de-escalation efforts and encourage peaceful resolution of crises, the statement said.
Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement in August at a trilateral summit in Mecca, pledging to strengthen collective security, deepen defense cooperation and promote peace and stability in the region and beyond.
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