Turkey submits defence pact to parliament

Turkey has submitted the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, signed on August seven with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, to parliament for ratification. The pact contains sixteen articles.

What the pact requires

Article one requires signatories to use all necessary means to eliminate threats to each other's territorial integrity. Article two mandates immediate assistance if any member faces armed attack.

“In the event one of the parties is subjected to an armed attack or military aggression by another country or group of countries, the parties shall immediately provide assistance to the party under attack, utilising the full range of mutual assistance measures available to them.”

Similar to NATO's Article Five

The pact mirrors NATO's founding document, treating an armed attack on one member as an attack on all. Each country decides the scope and nature of support based on available resources.

Cooperation across defence sectors

Articles three through six cover defence industry cooperation, intelligence sharing, logistical support, joint training and fighting terrorism. The agreement includes joint research in advanced technology and military readiness.

Governance and duration

A defence committee including foreign and defence ministers from all three countries will oversee the agreement. Other states may join with approval from all founding members. The pact lasts ten years.

Parliament debates ahead

Turkey's parliamentary speaker will refer the agreement to the foreign affairs commission, which could debate it as early as Friday. Ratification will take considerable time despite the ruling coalition's simple majority.

Houthi attacks prompt activation

Earlier this month, the three countries agreed to activate deterrence measures and rapidly deploy forces to Saudi Arabia to counter attacks by Yemen's Houthis. President Erdogan said Turkey faces a ring of fire.

“As I often say, we are surrounded by a ring of fire. That is exactly the situation we face.”