Makkah Defence Alliance Leaders Strengthen Ties in Recent Calls

In a series of diplomatic discussions, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar engaged with his counterparts from Saudi Arabia and Turkey to reinforce commitments made during the inaugural meeting of the Makkah Defence Alliance.

The conversations took place on Sunday following the alliance's formation, which empowers member states to treat any aggression against one as an attack on all. The agreement, signed on August 7, was further solidified during the first meeting on August 31 in Istanbul, where Pakistan took on the role of leading the alliance’s secretariat for the next three years.

Strengthening Defence Cooperation

During his talks with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan, Minister Dar reviewed progress on the strategic political and defence initiatives established in Istanbul. They addressed regional and international developments of shared concern and agreed to maintain close communication.

In a separate call with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Dar expressed gratitude for Turkey's role in hosting the inaugural meeting. The ministers discussed ongoing cooperation, emphasizing the importance of joint military activities and technology development to bolster their respective defence capabilities.

Regional Engagement and Future Collaborations

In addition to the discussions with Saudi and Turkish officials, Dar received an invitation from Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty to visit Egypt. The two leaders spoke about enhancing bilateral relations and the broader regional landscape, reaffirming their commitment to security cooperation.

The upcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is set to provide another opportunity for these leaders to discuss security matters and regional stability, continuing the momentum established by the Makkah Defence Alliance and the R-4 Group, which includes Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey.

Source: www.dawn.com