Turkish National Defence Minister Yashar Guler has said that the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement and the Badr Memorandum of Understanding demonstrate Turkiye’s active role in the international security architecture, stressing that cooperation with Azerbaijan and other friendly countries contributes to regional security.

Axar.az reports, citing Turkish media, that Guler stressed the importance of Turkiye having strong, modern, and deterrent armed forces to ensure its security amid changing geopolitical conditions, protect its national interests, and contribute to international peace.

He said Turkiye was developing military cooperation with Azerbaijan and other brotherly countries, particularly the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

The minister noted that the Mecca Agreement signed between Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan envisages expanding security cooperation based on joint defence, deterrence and military coordination.

According to Guler, the Memorandum of Understanding on the Badr Agreement, signed last week between Turkiye, Qatar, Pakistan and Indonesia, aims to develop cooperation in the defence industry, expand technical military training and the exchange of knowledge and experience, promote joint production and technological development, and strengthen research and development activities.