Fidan: Efforts to institutionalize the “Mecca Pact” have reached their final stage

He stressed that efforts to institutionalize the alliance have reached their final stages.

In statements to reporters after the conclusion of the meeting, Fidan explained that this meeting was scheduled in advance to discuss ways to institutionalize the alliance, but recent field developments in the Yemeni and Saudi arenas necessitated its holding in an “exceptional” manner on Monday.

The Turkish Minister indicated that the meeting addressed a number of fundamental structural and organizational issues, most notably the structure of the Alliance’s General Secretariat, and the appointment and approval of the new Secretary-General.

He stressed that there were intensive and fruitful efforts made by the Ministers of Defense and Chiefs of General Staff of the member states during the military, operational and technical discussions, which brought the work of consolidating the institutional presence of the Alliance to its final stages.

Regarding the Yemeni file, Fidan stressed that the participants discussed “possible ways to solve the problem in Yemen through dialogue and peaceful means.”

He praised the "very constructive approach" adopted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia towards finding a way out of this file, noting that the Turkish delegation had the opportunity to listen to the Saudi vision and share some opinions with it.

Fidan also pointed to the "strong will" shown by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in this regard, and added: "A group of important decisions have been taken to translate this will into reality."

The Turkish Foreign Minister concluded his statements by noting that the meeting constituted a “fruitful day,” during which practical and institutional steps were discussed, militarily and technically, and the future path of how the “Mecca Joint Defense Alliance” would deal with the current challenges was determined, in a way that enhances the role of this regional alliance in maintaining security and stability.