ISTANBUL (Kashmir English): The first meeting of the Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye Committee under the Mecca Joint Defense Treaty was held in Istanbul on Monday.
The meeting was attended by the Foreign Ministers, Defense Ministers and military leadership of the three countries.
A joint declaration has been issued for the inaugural meeting of the Strategic Political and Defense Committee established under the Mecca Defense Treaty in Istanbul.
Under the declaration, the three countries (Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye) will strengthen their defense capabilities and cooperation of their armed forces through joint activities.
According to the declaration, the three countries have agreed to cooperate in the defense industry, develop joint technology and increase production.
First head of the Mecca Defense Treaty Organization
According to the declaration, Pakistan will be the first head of the Mecca Defense Treaty Organization. The Secretariat of the Treaty will be established in Saudi Arabia under the leadership of the Secretary General. Initially, the Secretariat will be headed by a Secretary General from Pakistan, whose term of office will be for 3 years.
It has also been agreed to further institutionalize cooperation under the Mecca Treaty, and steps will be taken to increase the credibility and effectiveness of collective defense and deterrence.
The agenda of the meeting included determining common responsibility in the context of growing regional and global tensions and considering global and regional security issues and further strengthening the defense capabilities of the three countries.
The agenda also included discussions on enhancing coordination between the armed forces of the three countries and reviewing cooperation in the areas of joint production, research and development in the defense industry. Issues of making joint efforts against terrorism more effective were also included in the agenda of the meeting.
