Türkiye's Foreign Affairs Committee approved a bill ratifying its defense agreement with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, Anadolu Agency reported, advancing the measure to the General Assembly. No date has been announced for a floor vote.
The proposal reached parliament Oct. 21. The committee's decision moves the bill beyond preliminary review, but it does not complete Türkiye's domestic ratification or bring the agreement into effect. The next step is consideration by the full General Assembly.
Article 16 says the agreement takes effect after each signatory completes its domestic approval procedures and deposits a final instrument with the Secretariat of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee. Anadolu reported that Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have completed their procedures and submitted official notifications.
The governments signed the agreement in Mecca on Aug. 7. Their joint statement said an armed attack against any one of the three states would be treated as an attack against all three, and identified collective deterrence as an aim.
The agreement also outlines personnel exchanges, joint training and exercises, deployments, defense co-production and research, intelligence sharing, and logistical support. Logistical aid may include arms, ammunition, fuel and spare parts, subject to availability and compatibility. The agreement sets no financial figures or cost-sharing terms.
Deputy Foreign Minister Levent Gümrükçü told the committee the pact was intended to deepen regional cooperation. “The agreement envisions integration rather than bloc-building in the region, embracing an inclusive rather than divisive vision,” he said.
Ratification would not by itself authorize a Turkish troop deployment abroad; a separate authorization would still be required, as EconoTimes previously reported. The General Assembly vote is the next formal step, but its timing has not been set.
