Riyadh: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that the Makkah joint defence agreement between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye is not directed against any country but represents an important step towards promoting peace, stability, defence cooperation and prosperity in the region.

In a statement posted on the social media platform X, Erdogan said he visited Makkah at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, where he met with the Saudi Crown Prince and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

According to the Turkish president, the three leaders signed a joint defence agreement during the meeting. He said the agreement aims to strengthen collective defence capabilities, promote joint projects in the defence industry and expand effective cooperation against threats to peace and security.

Erdogan said the Makkah defence agreement also reaffirms the right of self-defence recognised under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter. He stressed that the agreement is not directed against any particular country and remains open to all brotherly countries seeking peace, prosperity and stability in the region.

The Turkish president further said that Türkiye would continue to maintain its principled position of relying on dialogue and diplomacy to resolve conflicts and crises. He emphasised the importance of diplomatic efforts in achieving lasting peace and stability in the region.

Erdogan expressed hope that the agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye would further strengthen relations among the three countries while contributing to peace, stability and prosperity across the region.

He also prayed that the Makkah defence agreement would become a source of peace, stability, prosperity and blessings for the entire region.