Türkiye on Friday firmly rejected claims that its new joint defense agreement with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan conflicts with NATO commitments or creates a rival alliance, calling such assertions a deliberate attempt to manipulate public perception.
The Presidential Communications Directorate issued the statement in response to claims circulating on social media that the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement signed by Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan contradicts NATO's Article 5 and establishes a parallel alliance structure.
The directorate described the claims as “completely false,” saying their origin and intent were evident and accusing those behind them of seeking to shape public perception through misinformation.
It stressed that the agreement does not contradict any of Türkiye's existing international alliance commitments, including its obligations as a NATO member.
Instead, Ankara views the pact as a complementary cooperation mechanism designed to strengthen regional security, the directorate said.
