Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement on Friday, under which an armed attack against any one of the three countries will be regarded as an attack against all.
Speaking to state-run Anadolu news agency, Fidan said the agreement was a general commitment to support the security of the three allies and was not aimed at Iran or any other country.
He said the three countries would determine through consultations the degree, form and nature of assistance required in the event of an attack.
“No country will be considered a threat as long as a member state is not attacked,” Fidan said.
The agreement aims to strengthen collective deterrence against aggression and deepen defence cooperation among the three countries.
Fidan said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wanted the alliance to expand beyond its three founding members, adding that Egypt could be among the potential countries to join once certain technical issues were resolved.
“NATO is a giant military alliance where there are 32 countries. We have started here as three countries and we have to take very humble but concrete steps,” he said.
Fidan said efforts to finalise the agreement had been underway for two years and eight months.
Under the proposed structure, a committee of ministers similar to NATO's ministerial mechanism will be established, while a general secretariat will be based in Saudi Arabia. Operational details will be determined during the first meeting of the committee.
“Our president's vision is that we don't remain limited to three countries, that we grow and bring together all regional countries under this roof,” Fidan said.
He added that the agreement was open to expansion and was not intended to replace any existing alliances.
Pact not aimed at Iran
Fidan reiterated that the new defence arrangement was not directed against Iran.
Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Egypt have in recent months also worked together through a regional group known as the R4 to address regional issues, including the conflict involving Iran.
Fidan said Turkiye should also participate in an international coalition aimed at protecting commercial shipping in the Red Sea from Houthi attacks, arguing that the safety of maritime trade was directly linked to Ankara's interests.
Erdogan says pact targets no country
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday that the defence pact with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia was not directed against any country and remained open to other regional states.
In a post on X, Erdogan said the agreement, based on collective deterrence, would strengthen security and defence cooperation, facilitate joint defence industry projects and contribute to counterterrorism efforts.
He said the agreement reaffirmed the right of self-defence recognised under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.
Erdogan also emphasised dialogue and diplomacy as the preferred means of resolving regional crises, saying Turkiye would continue supporting efforts based on international law and regional ownership.
He expressed hope that the agreement and consultations between the three countries would contribute to peace, prosperity and stability across the region.
