Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated during an interview with Qatar's Al Jazeera that Egypt could join the existing "Mecca Agreement," a joint defense pact currently including Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan. Erdoğan remarked, "The 'Mecca Agreement' allows other countries to join in the future," adding that "Egypt's participation is possible." This statement was made during his appearance on the program "Al-Muqabala." Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aty acknowledged Egypt had prior knowledge of the defense agreement between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan. Abdel Aty emphasized that such defense agreements "require careful study before taking any stance on them, given the legal and constitutional considerations that must be fully examined." He added that "Egypt enjoys distinguished relations with Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey, within the framework of existing relations and coordination among the four countries."
Details of the Defense Pact
The "Mecca Agreement for Joint Defense," signed between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, aims to enhance defense cooperation, stipulating that signatory countries take unified steps if one is subjected to external aggression. This agreement was concluded during a summit involving Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. President Erdoğan stated the agreement sent an important message to the world. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan asserted that the Mecca joint defense agreement is technically equivalent to the principle of collective defense outlined in Article 5 of the NATO Charter. Article 5 of the NATO Charter considers an armed attack against any party to be an attack against all parties. The Mecca Agreement also includes the formation of a ministerial committee and a general secretariat, similar to NATO's working mechanisms. This builds on a prior understanding, as Saudi Arabia and Pakistan concluded a joint strategic defense agreement in September 2025, stating that an attack on one country is an attack on both. The "Mecca Agreement for Joint Defense" was signed to enhance defense cooperation among its member states.
Egypt's Stance and Regional Ties
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aty confirmed that Cairo is studying the "Mecca Agreement" from all its aspects. During a joint press conference with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan on Thursday, Abdel Aty stated that Egypt was aware of the defense agreement between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan. He added that this type of defense agreement requires careful study before taking any position, citing legal and constitutional considerations. Abdel Aty also noted that Egypt enjoys distinguished relations with Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey. These relations fall within the framework of existing coordination between the four countries, showing ongoing diplomatic engagement. Abdel Aty's comments came as he discussed the possibility of Egypt joining the "Mecca Agreement" for joint defense, noting the thorough review process underway.
Broader Defense Cooperation
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan discussed the potential for Egypt to join the "Mecca Agreement" for joint defense. During an interview on the program "Al-Muqabala," Erdoğan stated that the agreement permits the future inclusion of other nations. This potential expansion follows Egypt's participation in a Saudi-led naval military coalition on July 30th of last month, which also included Turkey and Pakistan. On August 8th of this month, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan reiterated the possibility of Egypt joining the joint defense pact, showing ongoing discussions regarding regional security arrangements. Fidan's statement noted the ongoing diplomatic efforts and the strategic importance of the "Mecca Agreement" in fostering regional stability and collective security.