By The South Asia Times

ANKARA – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has stated that the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement, signed last week by Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan, is not limited to the three signatories and remains open to all brotherly countries seeking peace and stability in the region.

In an interview with the London-based Asharq Al-Awsat published Wednesday, Erdogan emphasized that the agreement represents a broader vision for regional cooperation rather than a reaction to day-to-day developments. "Indeed, our vision is not limited to three countries, according to Anadolu Agency.

We want it to expand further and, if possible, one day bring all countries in the region under this framework," he said.

The agreement, signed on August 7 in Makkah , is built on the principle of collective deterrence, under which an attack on one member would be treated as a common security concern for all.

Erdogan stressed that the pact is defensive in nature, targets no country, and aims to deepen security cooperation while contributing to regional stability. Türkiye’s Communications Directorate has also rejected claims that the agreement conflicts with NATO's Article 5, describing it as a complementary mechanism supporting regional security.

Erdogan emphasized that regional countries must take greater responsibility for their own security, arguing that regional challenges are best addressed by the region's own actors. "The future of the region cannot be shaped independently of the will of its own countries," he said, adding that Türkiye does not seek exclusionary blocs but rather cooperation based on respect for sovereignty and mutual trust.

The Turkish president also underscored the importance of Gulf security for the global economy and international trade, noting that energy supply security and maritime safety are directly connected to peace in the region.

On tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, he warned of worldwide economic consequences and called for restraint and open diplomatic channels to ensure the waterway remains safe and uninterrupted.

Addressing Lebanon, Erdogan stressed that the country's peace and security are vital to regional stability, calling for an immediate end to Israeli attacks and reaffirming support for Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Regarding Syria, he described recent developments as a "historic turning point" that should enable Syrians to determine their own future while preserving the country's territorial integrity and sovereignty