A defense pact signed between Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia is technically the same as NATO’s Article 5 mutual defense agreement, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Saturday, adding the accord was not targeting Iran.
Speaking to the state-run Anadolu news agency, Fidan said a committee of ministers similar to that within NATO would be formed as part of the alliance, as well as a general secretariat based in Saudi Arabia. Egypt could potentially join the pact once certain technical matters are resolved, he said.
Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey signed the agreement on Friday, bringing together the three countries’ leaders: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The agreement says that any armed attack on any one of the three countries will be regarded as an attack against them all, according to a statement from Pakistan's foreign ministry.
A spokesperson for Pakistan's Foreign Ministry stressed that, despite tensions in the Gulf, the visit has "significance that goes beyond the immediate crisis and short-term considerations."
"This agreement, based on the principle of collective deterrence, will contribute to cooperation in the fields of security and defense, joint projects in the defense industries, and the fight against terrorism," stated Erdogan before the official signing.
The move marks a significant step in efforts by the three regional powers to deepen security cooperation amid growing tensions and the ongoing war between the United States and Iran.
Eli Leon contributed to this report
