The Makkah defense pact between Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan could soon expand to include Egypt, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in an interview with Al Jazeera. Erdogan described Cairo’s possible accession as one of several options being considered as the alliance looks to broaden its membership beyond its three founding signatories.
The agreement, formally known as the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, was signed in the Saudi holy city last Friday by Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Under the terms of the pact, an armed attack against any one of the three signatory states would be treated as an attack against all of them, committing the countries to a coordinated response in the event of an external threat.
Makkah Defense Pact Draws NATO Comparisons
“This agreement has sent an important message to the world,” Erdogan told Al Jazeera’s Ali Al Dafiri during an interview for the programme Al Muqabala. While the collective defence clause built into the mutual defence agreement has prompted comparisons with NATO’s Article 5, Pakistani officials have cautioned against describing the pact as a regional equivalent of the Western military alliance, and Islamabad has said it is not directed at any particular country.
Erdogan said the agreement remained open to additional members and indicated that Egypt’s participation was a realistic possibility. His comments come as regional governments seek to deepen security cooperation amid continuing wars and political instability across the Middle East. Should Egypt eventually join, the pact would bring together four of the region’s most influential military powers, a development that could significantly reshape security cooperation across the Middle East and the wider Islamic world.
Erdogan Addresses Strait of Hormuz Tensions
During the interview, Erdogan also addressed Strait of Hormuz tensions, describing the reopening of the waterway as a priority for Ankara. He argued that the continued disruption of the strait, one of the world’s most important energy corridors linking Gulf oil and gas producers with international markets, was damaging to all sides involved. He also praised Qatar’s role in regional mediation efforts, saying Doha had contributed significantly to attempts to reduce tensions and end ongoing fighting in the region.
Erdogan Discusses Gaza, Lebanon and Syria
Turning to Gaza, Erdogan said Turkiye could not leave Palestinians in the territory to face the conflict alone, stating that his government would continue to provide political and humanitarian support. He said Hamas was acting in good faith and meeting its commitments, while accusing Israel of continuing its military campaign in the enclave. He also expressed concern over Israeli attacks on Lebanon, saying he had discussed the conflict with US President Donald Trump during Trump’s recent visit to Turkiye and had urged the American leader to help bring the fighting to an end.
On Syria, Erdogan said Turkiye would continue supporting efforts to restore stability and would not abandon its neighbours during a period of regional turmoil. He said he planned to visit the country and stressed that its Kurdish population should share in any future peace and stability, adding that Turkiye would continue strengthening relations with Kurdish communities across the region.
Erdogan Signals Shift Away From EU Membership
Erdogan used the interview to signal a further shift in Turkiye’s relationship with the European Union, saying EU membership was no longer a major priority for Ankara. He accused European leaders of lacking the political will to admit Turkiye and argued that Europe would ultimately lose more than Turkiye if accession efforts remained stalled. Turkiye has been formally recognised as a candidate for EU membership since 1999, though negotiations have been frozen for years amid disagreements over democratic standards, regional disputes and foreign policy.
The Turkish president also addressed Ankara’s long-running attempt to rejoin the US-led F-35 fighter jet programme, saying Trump had made a commitment regarding the aircraft and that Turkiye was waiting for the US administration to honour it. Washington expelled Turkiye from the multinational programme in 2019 after Ankara purchased the Russian-made S-400 air defence system, and subsequently imposed sanctions on the country in December 2020. During a NATO summit in Ankara last month, Trump said his administration planned to lift those sanctions and would consider allowing Turkiye’s return to the F-35 programme, though any such agreement is likely to face opposition in the US Congress.
Erdogan’s remarks underline Turkiye’s broader efforts to strengthen its regional alliances while pursuing a more independent defence and foreign policy, with the possible inclusion of Egypt in the Makkah defense pact representing one of the clearest signs of that ambition.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, August 17th, 2026
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