RIYADH — The Makkah Joint Defense Agreement, signed on Friday by Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has received wide international and Arab acclaim. Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif expressed pride in signing the agreement, saying that the agreement embodies the unity of three brotherly countries bound by the Islamic faith, strong fraternal ties and a shared commitment to promoting peace and security.He expressed hope that the historic agreement would serve as a shield for peace for generations to come, contribute to the prosperity of the three countries, and serve the interests of the Islamic nation. Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari welcomed the signing of the pact, describing it as an important development that would promote peace, security and stability in the region and the world. Zardari said the agreement would strengthen the joint defense capabilities of the three countries and reflect their commitment to building a secure, stable and prosperous future for their peoples.Zardari praised the role of Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir in concluding the agreement. “This marks an important milestone in strengthening the strategic partnership among the three countries. The historic agreement would contribute to greater security, peace and prosperity and benefit the Islamic nation,” he said. Bahrain welcomed the signing of the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement. The Bahraini Ministry of Foreign Affairs commended the three countries' defense capabilities and military expertise, their roles in promoting regional security and stability, and their commitment to international agreements and conventions.The ministry described the agreement as a strategic partnership that contributes to safeguarding security and stability in the region and the world and strengthens the effect of joint deterrence. It noted that the agreement represents a significant addition that complements the joint defense framework of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states and contributes to enhancing regional security and stability based on solidarity, integration and partnership. The ministry stressed that the security of Saudi Arabia is an integral part of Bahrain's security, reiterating its support for all efforts that contribute to enhancing regional security and stability, safeguarding sovereignty and territorial integrity, protecting interests, and promoting political solutions to address regional issues. The Palestinian Presidency welcomed the signing of the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement. The presidency expressed its appreciation to the leaders of the three countries for this step.In a statement, the Presidency stressed that strengthening the capabilities of the nations and enhancing their integration and cooperation in protecting their security, sovereignty and legitimate interests constitute a fundamental pillar of regional stability and the preservation of their peoples' resources. The presidency described the agreement as an important strategic step that would enhance security, stability and cooperation among the countries of the Islamic world and reinforce the principles of solidarity and shared security and destiny in confronting common challenges and threats.The Palestinian Presidency expressed hope that the Makkah agreement would serve as a starting point for strengthening the Arab and Islamic collective security framework, contributing to the protection of the region's countries, peoples and holy sites, while supporting the rights of the Palestinian people and their legitimate struggle to end the Israeli occupation and establish their fully sovereign independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital. The Muslim World League (MWL) welcomed the joint statement issued following the Makkah Summit for Joint Defense between Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan. In a statement issued by the MWL General Secretariat, MWL Secretary General and Chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars Sheikh Mohammed Al-Issa highly commended the agreement, particularly as it is founded on bonds of brotherhood and Islamic solidarity to enhance collective security and promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the region in particular and the international community in general.
