Erdogan open to friendly nations joining pact

ANKARA:

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday said that the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement targeted no country and remained open to the participation of other friendly nations seeking peace, prosperity and stability in the region.

In a post on the Turkish social platform NSosyal, Erdogan said the agreement, based on the principle of collective deterrence, would strengthen security and defence cooperation, support joint defence industry projects and contribute to counterterrorism efforts.

He said the agreement also reaffirms the right to self-defence as defined under Article 51 of the UN Charter.

"The agreement does not target any country and is open to the participation of all brotherly countries seeking peace, prosperity and stability in our region," Erdogan said.

Türkiye, he added, would firmly maintain its principled stance in favour of resolving conflicts and crises through dialogue and diplomacy, based on respect for international law and in line with its vision of regional ownership.