Pakistan, Saudi, Turkish defence chiefs vow immediate cooperation under Makkah Pact
Trilateral Riyadh meeting denounces attacks on Makkah, civilian areas, economic sites: Reaffirms collective defence: Mulls ways to enhance intelligence sharing, military coordination, capability integration, aimed at strengthening deterrence and collective defence
The chiefs of defence and general staff of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye met in Riyadh on Friday, reaffirming their commitment to collective defence and the immediate implementation of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, reported 24NewsDH TV channel.
According to an ISPR statement released in the wee hours of Saturday in Rawalpindi, the military chiefs, during the meeting, reviewed the security situation and threats facing Saudi Arabia and strongly condemned the attacks targeting Makkah and the Kingdom’s civilian and economic infrastructure.
The meeting of the Chief of Defence Forces and Chiefs of General Staff of the States' parties to the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement was held in Riyadh with the participation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and the Republic of Türkiye.
The defence chiefs reviewed the security situation and the threats facing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. They strongly resented the attacks targeting the Holy City of Makkah and civilian and economic infrastructure. They appreciated the vigilance and professionalism of the Saudi Armed Forces for ensuring safety of the people and security of the Kingdom.
The participants also discussed ways to further advance cooperation among the armed forces of the three countries and to enhance intelligence sharing, military coordination, and capability integration, thereby strengthening deterrence and collective defence.
The participants commended the longstanding relations and mutual trust that bind the people and the armed forces of the three countries. They noted that their meeting in Riyadh reflects the strength of their defence partnership and their shared determination to immediately translate the commitments of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement into effective military cooperation.
The participants strongly affirmed their commitment to collective defence thereby demonstrating the resolve of the three countries in defending the security, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The meeting of the military chiefs came amid efforts by the three countries to translate their defence agreement into practical military collaboration. They said their talks reflected the strength of the defence partnership, and their determination to immediately begin the process of translating their commitments under the agreement into “effective military cooperation”.
Reporter Ahmad Mansoor