Ankara presented its new defence partnership with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan as a regional mechanism for cooperation and deterrence during talks with Egypt. In defending the pact, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan alleged that Greece, the Republic of Cyprus and Israel had already established a Mediterranean security alliance directed against Turkey.
Fidan contrasts regional security pacts
Speaking at a joint press conference with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, Fidan discussed the new “Mecca Alliance” between Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. He insisted that the defence arrangement “is not directed against any country.”
Asked why Ankara considered a new alliance necessary, Fidan contrasted it with what he described as an existing security partnership involving Greece, the Republic of Cyprus and Israel.
“Before we signed our own alliance, Israel, the Greek Cypriot administration and Greece came together and created a security alliance in the Mediterranean,” he said.
Fidan claimed that “we all know who the target of this alliance is”, adding: “Turkey is in the north of the Mediterranean, Egypt is in the south, and there is an alliance drawing a line down the middle.”
He said “the target of this alliance is clear”, while distinguishing it from the “Mecca Alliance”. According to Fidan, Ankara’s partnership is intended to promote regional cooperation, encourage countries in the region to assume responsibility and establish deterrence.
Egypt considers possible participation
Fidan also addressed Egypt’s possible participation in the “Mecca Alliance”, saying Ankara had discussed the matter with Cairo from the outset and that the two sides remained in close consultation.
“On all the security, political and economic issues we are advancing in the region, Egypt is one of the first brotherly countries with which we consult,” he said.
He added that Egypt was currently considering the matter.
“Egypt is our natural partner, and we hope it will soon become our official partner,” Fidan said.
Eastern Mediterranean cooperation
Fidan said Ankara supported policies in the Eastern Mediterranean that, in his words, “prioritise dialogue and cooperation over polarisation and conflict”.
He also said Turkey wanted to expand its maritime relations with Egypt, describing both as countries with significant coastlines in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The talks between Fidan and Abdelatty also covered Libya, the Palestinian issue, Gaza and regional security. The Turkish foreign minister said Ankara and Cairo now showed significant convergence on a range of regional issues.
On the economic front, the two sides set a target of increasing bilateral trade to $15 billion, while agreeing on further steps concerning their free trade agreement and connectivity.
Source: CNA
