Turkey says Saudi-Pakistan defence pact mirrors NATO’s Article 5, Egypt could also join

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan says the new defence agreement between Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia is technically equivalent to NATO’s Article 5 mutual defence clause and does not target Iran.

Fidan told Turkey’s Anadolu news agency that the three countries would establish a ministerial committee resembling NATO’s decision-making structure. The pact will also have a general secretariat based in Saudi Arabia.

Egypt could join the alliance once the parties resolve outstanding technical issues, Fidan added.

Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed the agreement on Friday.