Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Cairo may join the new Mecca Defense Agreement co-signed by Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan. Speaking in an interview with Al Jazeera, Erdogan emphasized that the partnership remains open to new members and described Egypt as a strategic choice for future expansion.
The Mecca Joint Defense Agreement commits member states to coordinated action in the event of an external attack. Erdogan said the deal sent an important message to the world about regional security cooperation.
Mecca Defense Agreement terms
The pact was signed last Friday by Erdogan, Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Terms of the agreement specify that an armed attack against any member state will be treated as an attack against all members.
Analysts have compared the collective deterrence clause to Article 5 of NATO. However, officials in Islamabad warned against interpreting the agreement as an absolute equivalent of NATO or as an alliance directed against any specific country.
Strait of Hormuz and regional mediation
Erdogan also addressed regional crises, calling the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz a strategic priority for Ankara. He noted that a prolonged closure of the waterway serves no one interests. Additionally, he recognized the pivotal role played by Qatar in mediating efforts to halt ongoing hostilities.
Regarding Syria, Erdogan pledged that Turkey would not abandon its neighbors during regional turmoil and announced an upcoming visit to the country. He said Ankara will work to support Syrian stability and stated that Syrian Kurds will have a share in peace and stability. He added that Turkey will strengthen ties with Kurdish communities while safeguarding their rights.
Gaza, Lebanon, and foreign relations
On the conflict in Gaza, Erdogan said Turkey cannot leave Gaza alone and will do whatever is necessary. He maintained that Hamas is fulfilling its commitments in good faith while Israel continues the war. Addressing Lebanon, he expressed serious concern over ongoing Israeli attacks and revealed that he urged US President Donald Trump to help end the war during Trump recent visit to Turkey.
Erdogan confirmed continued support for Sudan, describing relations with Sovereignty Council head Abdel Fattah al-Burhan as good. He also assured that Turkey will maintain stable ties with Libya. Turning to Europe, Erdogan said the European Union does not seem inclined to admit Turkey, adding that EU accession is no longer a priority for Ankara and that Europe will be the loser.
F-35 fighter jets and US sanctions
The Turkish leader also focused on F-35 fighter jets, stating that he received a promise from Donald Trump and expects it to be honored. Turkey was removed from the F-35 program in 2019 after taking delivery of Russian S-400 missile systems, which Washington views as a threat to stealth technology.
During a NATO summit in Ankara last month, Trump stated beside Erdogan that his administration would lift CAATSA sanctions imposed in December 2020 over the S-400 acquisition. Trump also said rejoining the F-35 program was something his administration would certainly consider. However, any jet transfer faces resistance in the US Congress, where a 2020 law explicitly prohibits sending F-35 aircraft to Turkey while it maintains the S-400 system.
