Egypt interested in joining Makkah Joint Defense Pact as consultations continue
By The South Asia Times
ISLAMABAD - Egypt is reportedly interested in joining the Makkah Joint Defence Pact, with consultations continuing among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye on Cairo’s possible participation, diplomatic sources said Sunday.
The development comes after Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held a telephone conversation with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, during which the two discussed regional security issues and agreed to remain engaged on matters of mutual interest.
According to diplomatic sources, Egypt has conveyed its interest in joining the defence framework, and discussions are continuing between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye on the modalities of Egyptian participation.
Dar later spoke separately with his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. Both conversations included follow-up on the inaugural meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee of the Makkah Defence Alliance, held in Istanbul.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said Dar and Fidan discussed ways to advance cooperation under the Makkah Defence Alliance, while Dar and Prince Faisal reviewed follow-up to the Istanbul meeting and agreed to remain in close contact.
Diplomatic sources said several other Muslim-majority countries, including Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Bangladesh, have also expressed interest in joining the defence pact, although consultations on their possible participation are still continuing.
The Makkah Joint Defence Pact was established as a framework for closer security and defence cooperation among participating countries, with the strategic committee tasked with developing mechanisms for coordination.
The growing interest from Egypt and other countries could expand the pact’s regional reach and strengthen defence coordination among Muslim-majority states.
During his conversation with Abdelatty, Dar and the Egyptian foreign minister also discussed bilateral relations and regional and international developments. Abdelatty invited Dar to visit Egypt, while the two ministers agreed to meet on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
