Erdogan Says Egypt Could Join Türkiye-Saudi-Pakistan Defence Pact

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said Egypt could join the joint defence agreement recently signed by Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, describing Cairo’s possible membership as an option for expanding the pact.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera, Erdogan said the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement requires the three signatories to take unified action if any one of them comes under external attack.

The agreement, signed in Mecca by Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, states that an armed attack against one member would be treated as an attack against all three. The provision has been compared by some analysts to NATO’s Article 5, although Pakistani officials have stressed that the pact should not be viewed as a NATO equivalent or as being directed against any particular country.

Erdogan also discussed tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, saying reopening the strategic waterway remains a priority for Ankara because its continued closure serves no one’s interests. He praised Qatar for its role in regional mediation efforts.

On Syria, Gaza and Lebanon, Erdogan said Türkiye would continue supporting its neighbours amid ongoing regional instability. He said Ankara would work to promote stability in Syria and support the rights of Kurdish communities.

Regarding Gaza, Erdogan said Türkiye would not abandon the territory and would continue doing what it could to support its people. He also said Hamas was fulfilling its commitments in good faith while Israel continued its military campaign.

Erdogan expressed concern over continued Israeli attacks on Lebanon and said he had discussed the need to end the conflict with US President Donald Trump during Trump’s recent visit to Türkiye.

The Turkish president also reaffirmed Ankara’s support for Sudan and said relations with Sudanese Sovereignty Council chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan remained good. He described Türkiye’s relations with Libya as stable and said Ankara would not abandon the country.

On Türkiye’s long-standing bid to join the European Union, Erdogan said EU membership was no longer a priority for Ankara, arguing that Europe would ultimately be the loser if Türkiye remained outside the bloc.

Erdogan also said Trump had promised to help Türkiye regain access to F-35 fighter jets. Türkiye was removed from the multinational F-35 programme in 2019 after purchasing Russia’s S-400 air defence system. However, any potential return to the programme still faces legal and political obstacles in the United States.

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