Saudi, Turkey, Pakistan Sign Agreement 08/07 06:24

   Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan signed a defense agreement on Friday, 
Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said, deepening cooperation between the three 
regional powers at a time of growing security concerns.

   ANKARA, Turkey (AP) -- Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan signed a defense 
agreement on Friday, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said, deepening cooperation 
between the three regional powers at a time of growing security concerns.

   The agreement was signed in the Saudi holy city of Mecca during a meeting 
between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip 
Erdogan and Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

   "The agreement is intended to strengthen collective deterrence against any 
act of aggression, and stipulates that any armed attack against any one of the 
three states shall be regarded as an attack against them all," the Pakistani 
Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

   "It further provides for the enhancement of all aspects of defense 
cooperation among the three States," the statement said of the agreement, which 
brings oil-rich Saudi Arabia together with nuclear power Pakistan as well as 
Turkey, which has NATO's second-largest army and a rapidly growing defense 
industry.

   Earlier, Turkey's Haberturk television and other media said it is likely to 
allow joint military exercises and training, technology transfers and the 
sharing of intelligence.

   Saudi Arabia, whose critical infrastructure and oil facilities have come 
under attack as part of the war in Iran, has been looking to diversity its 
defense partnerships.

   In September, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a mutual defense pact that 
defines any attack on either nation as an attack on both.

   The agreement also comes amid rising tensions between Turkey and Israel over 
Gaza and other regional conflicts, including the war in Iran and Lebanon.

   Sharif arrived on Thursday for a three-day visit accompanied by a high-level 
delegation that includes Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir.

   In addition to discussing ways to help defuse tensions between the United 
States and Iran, the three leaders are expected to explore expanding trade, 
economic ties and broader security cooperation, the officials said.

   Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said that while Sharif's visit took place 
against the backdrop of heightened tensions in the Gulf, it extends beyond the 
immediate crisis and is aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and boosting 
coordination on regional and international issues.