The Turkish parliament on Thursday, November 5, approved the joint defense agreement known as the "Mecca Agreement" between Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan with 279 votes in favor and 119 votes against. Out of a total of 592 members of the Turkish parliament, 398 people participated in the vote.
This agreement, signed on August 7, 1405, was designed to strengthen military cooperation and create a common deterrence and defense mechanism between the three countries.
According to the Anatolia news agency, the Mecca agreement includes cooperation in the defense industry, information exchange and fighting terrorism. Hulusi Aker, head of the National Defense Committee of the Turkish Parliament, emphasized that this agreement does not replace the NATO Treaty and that the deployment of Turkish military forces abroad still requires the approval of the Parliament.
During the review of the agreement, several representatives expressed concern about Turkey's military commitments and the possibility that this country would be dragged into regional conflicts. On the other hand, the supporters of the agreement saw it as a means of strengthening regional security and deterrence.