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The Turkish parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee began deliberations on a bill approving the Mecca Agreement on joint defense between Turkey, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Committee chair Fuat Oktay described the pact as a concrete step toward strengthening deterrence and peace in the region, while a New Party deputy called for the deal to be reviewed by the National Defense Committee as well.

Oktay outlines regional security rationale

The committee convened under the chairmanship of Fuat Oktay, an AK Party deputy for Ankara. In opening remarks, Oktay said developments in the Middle East, the Russia-Ukraine war, and tensions in the Caucasus, the Balkans and North Africa directly affect regional security.

Oktay called the agreement a concrete and significant step reflecting a will for regional ownership and a determination to reinforce peace by increasing deterrence in the region. Building a collective deterrence shield in the Middle East through the Mecca Agreement is a noteworthy development, Oktay said, and also praised the talks held in Tehran yesterday as valuable.

Pact described as open to other actors

"The agreements our country signs and joins are not alliances of aggression, expansionism or bloc formation against third countries," Oktay said. "On the contrary, our country is party to defense agreements that increase deterrence, reinforce our geography and aim at peace and stability." Oktay added that the Mecca Agreement is valuable because it does not propose an exclusive security architecture and allows other actors who share the vision of regional peace and stability to take part.

Expansion and collective defense rules

Oktay stressed that the agreement's enlargement process must not allow an uncontrolled mechanism. "The growth of the alliance and the admission of new members naturally matters a great deal, and must remain subject to the approval, consent and strategic filter of the core parties and therefore of our country," Oktay said.

Oktay noted that while deterrence is established at the highest level, the agreement shows absolute respect for the sovereign rights, international obligations and constitutional processes of the parties. Each step is to take effect within the parties' own constitutional obligations, national legislation and decisions by their competent authorities, rather than through automatic and mechanical operation of collective defense clauses, Oktay said, adding that high-level consultation mechanisms and common consensus are important in this regard.

Oktay said the alliance architecture rests on three pillars: joint defense, a determined fight against terrorism, and the development of indigenous capabilities in the defense industry. Oktay said each of these areas is vital for Turkey and the region's future, and that the Mecca Agreement should not be viewed as an isolated text.

Call for defense committee review

After Oktay's remarks, New Party Eskişehir deputy Utku Çakırözer said the agreement should also be discussed by the TBMM National Defense Committee. Oktay responded that a letter had been sent to that committee asking it to carry out work and submit a report, but that the committee had informed them "no work or reporting would be done."

The committee then moved on to the bill approving the Mecca Agreement on joint defense between Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Deputy Foreign Minister Levent Gümrükçü began a presentation on the agreement at the meeting.

Key takeaways

• The TBMM Foreign Affairs Committee opened debate on the bill approving the Mecca Agreement on joint defense between Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
• Committee chair Fuat Oktay said the pact builds a collective deterrence shield in the Middle East and is open to other actors sharing the same vision.
• Oktay said any enlargement must remain subject to the approval and strategic filter of the core parties, including Turkey.
• New Party deputy Utku Çakırözer sought a National Defense Committee review; Oktay said that committee had declined to prepare a report.