Egypt May Join Turkey-Saudi-Pakistan Defense Pact

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that Egypt could join the defense pact signed by Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan, noting it remains open to new members. Cairo’s involvement is being considered, he said in an interview with Al Jazeera, adding, ‘This agreement has given an important message to the world’.

In contrast to NATO’s Article 5, Erdoğan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif signed the Mecca Agreement last Friday, which states that an armed assault on any signatory country constitutes an attack on all three. Reopening the Strait of Hormuz is one of Ankara’s top goals, according to Erdoğan, who added, ‘In the face of regional instability, Turkey will not leave its neighbours alone’.

Erdoğan stated, ‘Syrian Kurds will also be partners in peace and stability’, and reaffirmed Turkey’s commitment to upholding their rights while addressing other pressing concerns. He also announced preparations to visit Syria to assist in building calm. Regarding Gaza and Lebanon, he praised Hamas for keeping its promises while denouncing Israel’s continuous military assaults. He also stated that Turkey cannot leave Gaza alone and would offer the required assistance. Strong connections with the government of Sudan were also mentioned, and he reaffirmed Turkey’s commitment to Libya.

Erdoğan warned that ‘Europe will be the one to suffer’ and stated that membership in the European Union is no longer a goal, as the union seemed uninterested in joining Turkey. He also added that he is waiting for U.S. President Donald Trump to deliver F-35 combat fighters as promised. Turkey was previously barred from the international F-35 program in 2019 after acquiring Russia’s S-400 system, which is still subject to stringent legal constraints and resistance from the US Congress.