Turkiye is preparing to host Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in Istanbul on Monday, the first ministerial meeting of their newly formed regional defence grouping, news agency AFP reported, citing Turkish sources.
The pact has been presented as a NATO-style mutual-defence arrangement, where an attack on one member would be regarded as an attack on all.
The meeting comes after the signing of the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement earlier this month and is likely to be attended by top ministers and military officials of the three countries, including Pakistan’s deputy prime minister Ishaq Dar.
Pakistan is expected to send a high-level delegation to Istanbul. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will represent Islamabad alongside Pakistan’s defence minister and the commander of its defence forces. Saudi Arabia will also be represented by senior political and military officials. Its delegation will include the foreign minister, the defence minister and the chief of the general staff. Cooperation in the defence industry will form another important part of the discussions.
One of the main outcomes expected from the Istanbul meeting is the creation of a “political and defence strategic committee”, according to AFP sources in the Turkish foreign ministry. Ankara said the participants intend to expand collaboration in this area while improving military interoperability.
