Turkey seeks to broaden Mecca defence pact beyond Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan

Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed the Mecca Joint Deterrence Agreement, a defence pact that treats an attack on any member as an attack on all. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said President Recep Tayyip Erdogan envisions expanding the arrangement to include more nations. He identified Egypt as a "natural partner" that could join once outstanding technical matters are resolved.

Officials have also hinted that additional Gulf Cooperation Council members may eventually be invited, without naming any particular state. The pact includes a NATO-style collective-defence clause, but details on the exact form of support remain under discussion. Turkish and Saudi representatives stress that the agreement does not replace existing alliances or target any specific country.