Mecca Defense Pact in Parliament: An attack on one country will be counted on all
The Turkish government presented the text of the Mecca Defense Pact, which Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed in August, to the Parliament on Tuesday. The 16-point indefinite agreement reached by the Middle East Eye site considers a foreign attack on a country to be made to all allies and prohibits withdrawal for the first 10 years after it comes into force.
The Turkish government presented the text of the Mecca Defense Pact signed by Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in August to the Turkish Grand National Assembly on Tuesday. Similar to Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, this agreement, which obliges the signatory states to defend each other, establishes a new international defense alliance.
The 16-point agreement text, which the Middle East Eye portal specifically reached and published an unofficial translation, does not define a specific country or region as a threat. The text emphasizes that instead, the participating countries will take the necessary measures to support each other in the event of an armed attack on their independence, sovereignty or territorial integrity.
Government of the Republic of Turkey, Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are referred to as "Parties", "Parties" or "Principal Parties" in the text. The three governments agree to combine the mechanisms of cooperation, coordination and integration with the existing defense partnership in a common defense agreement, taking into account the principles of the United Nations (UN) Charter, international law and the relevant principles of domestic law.
In the introduction section, it is also stated that the will to further develop relations in line with common interests is confirmed on the basis of cooperation, coordination and integration, including the interoperability, readiness status and effectiveness of the armed forces, and thus the existing bonds of friendship and brotherhood between the parties and their people will be strengthened. While countries reiterate the importance of the principles of non-interference in each other's internal affairs, sovereign equality, territorial integrity and the inviolability of internationally recognized borders, they declare that it is essential to implement the necessary measures for mutual support in the event of an armed attack on independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Expressing the importance of joint effort and coordination in line with international law and the UN Charter in order to ensure global and regional peace, stability and security, the parties express their desire to deepen the existing cooperation between the competent authorities in the fight against terrorism. While drawing attention to the importance of strengthening existing cooperation in regional and international organizations to adopt a common position on international issues, the need to further develop defense and defense industry cooperation is noted.
The attack will be considered to have been made on all allies
According to Article 1 of the Agreement, the Parties shall cooperate to ensure and protect each other's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of internationally recognized borders. The first article is "If the territorial integrity, sovereignty or internationally recognized borders of any of the Parties are threatened or endangered, the Parties shall use all necessary means to eliminate such threats or threats.
Article 2 of the Agreement regulates the commitment of joint defense with the statement that "An external armed attack against any of the Parties will be considered an attack on all Parties". In the same article, it is said that “If either Party is subjected to an armed attack or military aggression by another country or group of countries, the Parties shall promptly assist the attacked Party by using all the means of mutual assistance they can provide each other in full.”
Under this provision, which is set in order to ensure the exercise of the right to self-defense recognized by Article 51 of the UN Charter, countries will determine the scope and quality of the support to be provided after an objective assessment of the assistance required. The signatories will cooperate within the limits of their available resources “including military vehicles and capabilities”.
Article 3 of the Agreement, pursuant to Article 2, provides for the parties to cooperate closely in the fields of defense, defense industry and security, to improve relations between the armed forces and to carry out the agreed activities to strengthen defense cooperation. According to Article 4, countries shall hold regular consultations on international security issues; they will cooperate by continuously and effectively assisting each other in the development of individual and joint measures based on joint evaluations in order to protect their vital interests and national security, and to eliminate the threats and dangers to their national security.
Under Article 5, which regulates the title of fighting terrorism, the signatories will strengthen existing cooperation and joint efforts, including the operational level in the fight against terrorism, in all forms and manifestations that negatively affect regional and international stability and security.
Defense industry, intelligence and logistics support expands
The agreement provides a framework for intelligence sharing while envisaging cooperation on the development of defense industries, training the armed forces and the supply of countries to each other equipment, fuel and other defense materials. According to Article 6, the Parties shall promote mutual personnel exchange between defense institutions in terms of war and peace, joint training programs and exercises, as well as deployment and activities aimed at increasing the interoperability of their armed forces in order to improve their defense capabilities.
Article 7, which provides for technology sharing, joint technology development, co-production and support for cooperation between defense industry institutions on the basis of mutual agreement to strengthen defense capabilities, lists five cooperation areas. These areas are determined as; encouraging joint production in the field of defense, implementing defense innovation through joint research and development projects in technologies requiring special expertise, training personnel in the territories of the parties through experts of any side and supporting military industry, sharing expertise and courses learned in the fields of defense industry and defense research, development and innovation, and other areas of cooperation mutually agreed upon by the parties.
In order to deepen intelligence cooperation and ensure the necessary coordination in this regard, Article 9 regulates intelligence sharing through mutually agreed secure channels by complying with information security, data protection and privacy rules. Article 10 stipulates that, depending on the availability and compatibility of logistics support services, the Parties shall provide logistical support to each other, including weapons, ammunition, fuel, spare parts and other equipment, in peacetime, in time of war and other emergencies.
Secretariat will be established in Saudi Arabia, the first general secretary will be Pakistani
Article 8 of the Agreement decides that the “Main Parties” should establish a “Strategic Political and Defense Committee” to give strategic direction to common defense, improve defense and security cooperation and to address the obstacles that may arise during the implementation of the agreement. The committee, which will consist of foreign ministers, defense ministers and chiefs of staff, will meet twice a year, alternately between hosting parties; country leaders will be able to meet once a year if deemed necessary.
The Strategic Political and Defense Committee may establish sub-committees if it deems necessary and agreements or protocols will be negotiated between the parties when necessary for the implementation of the areas of cooperation envisaged in the agreement. In addition, this committee will be authorized to determine and approve the procedures and principles regarding the participation of other parties in the agreement by the "Main Parties" unanimously.
A Secretariat based in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will be established to serve the committee, and this structure will conclude a central agreement with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The procedures and principles regarding the functioning, organizational structure and establishment of the Secretariat will then be determined by the unanimous party of the "Principle Parties".
The Secretariat shall be headed by a Secretary-General appointed alternately for a three-year term of office between the “Main Parties”, and the first Secretary General will be a citizen of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The provisions of this article shall not impair the work of the existing military cooperation committees between the parties.
The first 10 years will not be possible from the agreement
According to Article 11, which outlines the legal framework, the signatories shall accept this agreement as a legal basis for the implementation of its provisions, without prejudice to international law and related domestic laws, and shall propose additional legal measures when necessary. Article 12 records that the agreement will not harm the rights and obligations of the parties arising from the international agreements they have previously concluded.
In accordance with Article 13, which regulates the confidentiality rules, countries will respect the confidentiality of confidential information and documents obtained within the scope of the agreement and national legislation. Confidential information and documents will not be shared with any state, company or person other than the parties; access to this information and documents will be provided on the basis of the principle of "need to know" and only to persons with the appropriate level of security certificate.
Any dispute arising from the interpretation or implementation of the agreement will be resolved amicably through consultations and negotiations between the parties according to Article 14. Article 15 states that the agreement can be changed through consultations and unanimity between the "Main Parties".
According to the final article, Article 16, the agreement shall be approved according to the procedures applicable to each party and shall enter into force on the date on which the final document of approval is entrued to the Secretariat of the Strategic Political and Defense Committee. The agreement that will remain in effect indefinitely does not have an end date.
The signatory states will be able to withdraw from the agreement only after 10 years have passed from the date of entry into force and on the condition that they notify the other parties in writing of their intentions withdraw via diplomatic channels at least three months in advance. The termination of the agreement or withdrawal from the agreement will not affect the ongoing activities or projects agreed upon by the parties prior to this date; responsibilities for the protection and prevention of disclosure of confidential information and documents will continue after the agreement has expired or withdrawn from the agreement.
The agreement signed in Mecca on Friday, August 7, 2026 (Hijri 24/2/1448), was arranged in three original copies, each text equally valid in Turkish, Arabic and English. If there is a difference in interpretation between the texts, the English text will be taken as a basis.