Under a foreign policy concept Ankara calls “regional ownership,” Türkiye has taken several institutional steps to strengthen security cooperation across the region.
Ankara played an active role in establishing the Mecca alliance with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, and later helped launch the Badr framework involving Qatar, Pakistan and Indonesia.
Through these initiatives, Türkiye aims to develop a new regional security architecture while creating new opportunities for defence exports, joint production and military cooperation.
What Is Turkiye’s Policy of Regional Ownership?
Türkiye began implementing its policy of “regional ownership” more actively after Hakan Fidan became foreign minister in June 2023.
Fidan has repeatedly argued that regional problems are best addressed when countries in the region establish their own mechanisms for cooperation and security.
According to Fidan, intervention by major external powers often deepens instability rather than resolving regional disputes.
He has said Türkiye is working towards a regional security system based on regional ownership.
In a statement in August, Fidan said regional ownership was essential because dominant powers from outside the region did not solve its problems but made them more serious, often at a significant cost.
He also stressed that regional countries needed more institutionalised and organised frameworks to ensure their security, economic stability, development and prosperity.
Since 2023, diplomatic efforts led by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the leadership level and Fidan at the foreign minister level have contributed to the establishment of three important regional cooperation frameworks this year:
R4 (Regional Four): Türkiye, Egypt, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
Mecca alliance: Türkiye, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
Badr framework: Türkiye, Qatar, Pakistan and Indonesia.
The R4 Mechanism
What Is the Purpose of R4?
According to sources at Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry, the R4 mechanism was established on the principle of regional ownership, with the aim of supporting sustainable stability and promoting dialogue on regional issues.
The forum brings together Türkiye, Egypt, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
The first meeting of R4 foreign ministers was held in Riyadh on March 18, 2026. The ministers have met six times since then.
Their most recent meeting took place in New York on September 21, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
On October 23, R4 foreign ministers will meet their counterparts from the E3 group Germany, France and the United Kingdom in Istanbul.
The meeting will bring R4 and E3 member countries together on a common platform for the first time. The aim is to discuss key issues concerning the Middle East and Europe and strengthen coordination among the participating countries.
Based on the outcome of the Istanbul meeting, a proposal to hold regular meetings under an R4-plus-E3 format is also being considered.
Fidan has recently discussed with his European counterparts how the principle of regional ownership could be applied to addressing issues concerning Europe.
Egypt Stays Out of the Mecca Alliance
On August 7, Türkiye, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia three members of the R4 political consultation mechanism — signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement and announced the establishment of the defence alliance known as the Mecca alliance.
Egypt did not join the alliance. However, according to international media reports, several other countries, including Qatar, Kuwait and Bangladesh, have expressed interest in joining.
Asked about the possibility of new members, Fidan said the alliance had been established from the outset with expansion in mind.
Under the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement submitted to the Turkish parliament for approval, decisions on admitting new members will be made by the “principal parties” Türkiye, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
One of the most significant provisions of the 16-article agreement states that an external armed attack against any one member will be considered an attack against all member countries.
The provision has drawn comparisons with Article 5 of NATO's founding treaty, which establishes the principle of collective defence.
Observers say the agreement marks a new phase in defence and security relations between Türkiye, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. It is also seen as an important step towards putting into practice the regional security framework outlined by Fidan.
Will the Mecca Alliance Expand Its Influence?
Through the Mecca alliance, Türkiye has taken a significant step towards establishing a new defence framework in the Middle East, modelled in part on the security arrangements it maintains with European and transatlantic partners.
Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have repeatedly stressed that the alliance is not directed against any particular country, especially Israel.
Instead, they say its purpose is to strengthen collective defence and deterrence, principles also associated with NATO.
US President Donald Trump has also expressed a positive view of the alliance.
Meanwhile, despite tensions with Iran, the United States is considering the possibility of reducing its military presence in the Middle East. This has raised questions about whether members of the Mecca alliance could eventually play a more influential role in regional security.
Saudi Arabia has so far been unable to completely prevent attacks by Yemen's Houthi movement. Despite the establishment of the Mecca alliance, however, Saudi Arabia has yet to receive direct military assistance from its other members under the arrangement.
Türkiye's Defence Ministry said last week that the possibility of providing military assistance to Saudi Arabia could be considered after the agreement receives approval from the Turkish Grand National Assembly.
Observers believe that if the agreement is fully implemented, the Mecca alliance could develop into a new collective defence framework in the Middle East, with Türkiye, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia playing central roles.
Türkiye's Latest Initiative: The Badr Framework
Defence industry cooperation is another important pillar of Türkiye's bilateral and multilateral relations with countries across the region.
Promoting cooperation in the defence industry is also among the key provisions of the Mecca alliance.
On October 21, the defence ministers of Türkiye, Qatar, Pakistan and Indonesia signed a memorandum of understanding in Doha to strengthen military cooperation and combine their capabilities and resources in the defence industry.
In a statement issued on October 22, Türkiye's Defence Ministry said the memorandum aimed to implement joint defence industry projects, expand research and development activities, strengthen infrastructure and supply chains, promote joint production capabilities, and establish long-term, sustainable strategic partnerships among the participating countries.
The ministry added that the Mecca defence alliance and the Badr memorandum of understanding represented practical expressions of Türkiye's international influence and strategic cooperation. It said the arrangements would contribute to regional and global peace, security and stability.
Countries participating in the Badr framework have also expressed interest in Türkiye's KAAN programme, which aims to develop the country's first indigenous fighter aircraft.
Indonesia and Pakistan have already signed certain documents of understanding with Türkiye concerning the project.
Through the Badr framework, Türkiye aims to expand its defence industry, promote joint production and collaborative defence projects, and deepen industrial and military cooperation among member countries.
Together, the Mecca alliance and the Badr framework reflect Ankara's broader ambition to strengthen regional security cooperation while expanding its strategic partnerships and defence industry exports.
