The agreement was reached during a meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee held in Istanbul on August 31. The meeting was attended by the foreign and defence ministers of the three countries, along with the chiefs of their respective defence forces.
According to a joint statement issued after the meeting, the three countries reaffirmed their resolve to continue working together in line with their regional responsibilities and to make joint efforts for lasting peace and stability in the region.
The three countries agreed to continue supporting peaceful solutions to regional crises under the framework of the Mecca Agreement. They also expressed their commitment to joint efforts aimed at reducing tensions, promoting restraint and preventing further escalation of conflicts in the region.
The meeting also agreed on measures to give the cooperation established under the Mecca Agreement a more institutional structure. The three countries said institutionalising the framework would further strengthen solidarity among them and enhance their collective defence and deterrence capabilities.
As part of the agreement, the establishment of a permanent secretariat in Saudi Arabia was also approved. The secretariat will be headed by a secretary-general and will initially operate for a three-year term under a secretary-general from Pakistan.
The Pakistani secretary-general will be responsible for overseeing the initial three-year period of the Mecca Agreement secretariat, according to the joint statement.
Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia also agreed to strengthen coordination among their armed forces through joint activities and initiatives. The three countries will work to enhance their defence capabilities and expand cooperation between their respective defence industries.
The joint statement further said that the three countries would explore cooperation in the joint development and production of defence technologies. Such cooperation is expected to strengthen military coordination and create new opportunities for collaboration in the defence sector.
The three countries reiterated their commitment to implementing the Mecca Agreement in an institutionalised and determined manner, saying that effective cooperation would enable them to play a greater role in promoting regional peace and stability.
They also expressed their resolve to contribute to a fair, comprehensive and lasting peace in the region through the effective implementation of the agreement.
The Istanbul meeting marks a significant step towards giving the Pakistan-Türkiye-Saudi Arabia defence partnership a more organised and permanent framework, with greater coordination expected among the three countries in the areas of defence, security, military cooperation and strategic planning.