Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said today in Riyadh that work to establish the institutional framework of the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement was nearing completion. Speaking after an extraordinary meeting of its Strategic Political and Defense Committee, he said developments involving Yemen and Saudi Arabia had prompted the gathering, although a meeting on institutional arrangements was already planned.

Participants discussed the secretariat’s structure and the appointment and approval of a new secretary-general. They also considered ways to resolve the dispute involving Yemen and Saudi Arabia peacefully through dialogue. Fidan described Saudi Arabia’s approach as constructive and said the meeting provided an opportunity to hear its position again and share Turkey’s views.

Fidan said several decisions reflected President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s position on the issue. He also highlighted contributions from Defense Minister Yaşar Güler and Chief of General Staff General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu on military, operational and technical matters. He described the discussions as productive, covering both the alliance’s institutional development and possible steps to address the current dispute.

Key Takeaways

• Fidan said work on the defense pact’s institutional framework was nearly finished.
• The committee discussed its secretariat and a new secretary-general.
• Talks also addressed a peaceful resolution to the Yemen-Saudi Arabia dispute.

Source: Anadolu Agency