The Turkish parliament on Thursday approved a bill ratifying the Mecca Agreement on Joint Defense between Türkiye, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, clearing the way for the trilateral security pact to take effect.
Lawmakers endorsed the measure by 279 votes to 119, with 398 of the chamber’s 592 members taking part in the ballot.
The measure, formally titled the Bill on the Approval of the Mecca Agreement on Joint Defense between the Republic of Türkiye, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, passed after a lengthy debate among parties.
During the debate, ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party lawmaker Ziya Altunyaldiz stressed that the agreement aims to expand security cooperation in the region. He emphasized that it contains no approach against any third country and that its main goal is to prevent conflicts rather than escalate them.
Opposition speakers raised reservations about the pact’s scope and oversight. Mehmet Guzelmansur of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) said clear rules are needed so the agreement does not contradict Türkiye’s other international obligations.
Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement at a trilateral summit in Mecca on Aug. 7, pledging to strengthen collective security, deepen defense cooperation and promote peace and stability in the region and beyond.