Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said a defence agreement signed between Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia is technically identical to NATO Article 5 on mutual defence between member states. Speaking to state news agency Anadolu on Saturday, Fidan added that the pact is not aimed at Iran.
Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey signed the joint defence agreement on Friday in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Under the pact, an attack on one member will be considered an attack on all, though Turkey stated the agreement does not target any specific country.
Alliance Structure and Expansion
Fidan explained that a committee of ministers, similar to the framework within NATO, will be established under the alliance. A general secretariat for the defence partnership will also be established with headquarters in Saudi Arabia.
Egypt could potentially join the agreement once certain technical issues are resolved, according to Fidan.
