Islamabad (Pakistan News) — The first trilateral committee meeting under the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement between Pakistan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia has begun in Istanbul.
Senior officials from Pakistan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia are attending the meeting in Istanbul. Pakistan is represented by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, while the foreign ministers, defense ministers and chiefs of general staff of Turkey and Saudi Arabia are also participating.
The meeting will hold important consultations on defense and security cooperation among the three countries.
The trilateral meeting will consider the global security situation and ways to further strengthen the defense capabilities of the three countries, while cooperation in joint production and technology in the defense industry will also be discussed.
Earlier, Turkish Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler met Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif.
Turkish Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler also met Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. The meeting took place as part of bilateral contacts ahead of the inaugural meeting of the Strategic Political and Defense Committee established under the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement.
The meeting comes at a time when the regional security situation is continuously changing and the three countries are seeking to further institutionalize their strategic defense partnership.
In the same context, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar also met Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, during which Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to continuing sustained efforts for regional peace and stability. The two leaders expressed satisfaction over the continued strengthening and expansion of bilateral relations.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar visited the mausoleum of Hazrat Abu Ayyub Ansari (RA), expressed his reverence and respect, and offered prayers for the peace and prosperity of Pakistan and its people, as well as for the unity of the Muslim Ummah.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that the strategic partnership between Pakistan and Turkey guarantees shared prosperity and security. He said the Makkah Agreement reaffirmed the strategic brotherhood between the two countries, firmly connects Pakistan and Turkey with Saudi Arabia, and paves the way for joint security and defense capabilities.