Erdogan names Egypt as possible next member of Mecca Pact
The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, also known as the Mecca Pact, was signed in August 2026 by Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said a new regional defence pact signed with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan could expand to include other countries, identifying Egypt as a possible future member, as he outlined Ankara's shifting foreign policy priorities in an interview with Al Jazeera.
The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, also known as the Mecca Pact, was signed in August 2026 by Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, says Al Jazeera.
The agreement says an armed attack against one signatory would be considered an attack against all, requiring a unified response. Analysts have compared the provision with Nato's Article 5, although Pakistani officials have cautioned against treating the pact as a direct equivalent of the Western alliance.
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Erdogan said the agreement remained open to expansion and described Egypt's accession as a "possible" next step.
Focus on regional conflicts
Erdogan said Turkiye would continue supporting neighbouring countries facing conflict and instability, saying Ankara would not leave Syria, Gaza or Lebanon to deal with turmoil alone.
He said he planned to visit Syria to support efforts to promote stability and said Syrian Kurds should be included in future peace efforts.
On Gaza, Erdogan criticised Israel's continued military campaign while saying Hamas had fulfilled its commitments in good faith. He also said he had raised concerns about Israeli attacks on Lebanon during discussions with US President Donald Trump.
Erdogan said reopening the Strait of Hormuz was a priority for Ankara, arguing that keeping the strategically important waterway closed benefited no one.
He also credited Qatar with playing a significant role in regional mediation efforts aimed at halting ongoing fighting.
On other conflicts, Erdogan said Turkiye maintained stable relations with Libya and continued to support Sudan's Sovereignty Council.
Relations with Europe and United States
Erdogan said membership of the European Union was no longer a priority for Ankara, arguing that Europe would be "the loser" if it continued to reject Turkiye's membership.
Relations with the United States remain more complicated, particularly over Turkiye's exclusion from the F-35 fighter jet programme following its purchase of the Russian S-400 air defence system.
Erdogan said he was waiting for Trump to honour a promise regarding the F-35 programme. Trump has suggested lifting US sanctions imposed under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, or CAATSA.
But a 2020 US law and opposition in Congress continue to block the transfer of F-35 aircraft while Turkiye retains the Russian-made S-400 system.
