Erdogan wants more countries in Mecca agreement

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement will not be limited to Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. He hopes to bring more regional countries under the agreement.

In an interview with Arab media Ashraq Al-Awsat on Wednesday (August 12), Erdogan said that our goal is not limited to just three countries. We want to expand it and, if possible, bring all countries in the region under this framework one day. This will be one of the most important steps towards achieving long-term regional stability.

Erdogan commented that although the tension between the United States and Iran is important for the regional situation, the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement should not be seen as a reaction to it. He said that such an explanation would not properly understand the policies and objectives of the countries concerned.

Stating that the agreement is not a threat to any country, the Turkish president said that the agreement is open to the participation of all brotherly countries that want peace, prosperity and stability.

Erdogan said that there is a long history behind this agreement. Discussions on this issue have been going on for a long time with other signatory countries and several other countries in the region.

Referring to his previous statement about regularly consulting with the relevant countries to strengthen regional peace, stability and security, he said that Turkey has been working accordingly.

He said that they know what kind of disaster imposed solutions have caused in solving regional problems. That is why Turkey has always followed a policy where the will and collective wisdom of regional countries will play a major role in decision-making.

According to Erdogan, this agreement is a reflection of a strategic decision in the context of the changing regional situation. It is not an immediate reaction to any daily events.

The agreement is a result of the new regional situation

Erdogan said that the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement is a result of the new regional situation and it comes from the collective sense of responsibility of the countries.

He said that regional countries will take responsibility for their own problems and solve them among themselves - Türkiye has always been in favor of this policy. The problems of the region must be solved by the parties in the region themselves. We can say that we have now taken the first step in that direction.

Erdogan said that recent events have made the need for solidarity between friendly and brotherly countries even more clear.

Erdogan said that this agreement is more than cooperation between Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. It is created as a comprehensive framework for regional stability and its doors are also open to other countries seeking peace and security.

According to him, Ankara sees this agreement as the beginning of a new era of regional cooperation and solidarity.