Turkey approves tripartite defence pact
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Caasimada Online
The Turkish Parliament approved by 279 votes to 119 the law implementing a defence pact with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. The agreement provides for mutual assistance in the event of an armed attack against the sovereignty or territorial integrity of any of the three countries, according to Caasimada.
The Turkish Parliament approved on Friday by 279 votes to 119 the law implementing the defence pact concluded by Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, according to Caasimada Online, citing Middle East Eye for several elements of the case.
The pact provides that an armed attack against one of the three countries be considered an attack against all three. Signed in August and transmitted to the Turkish Parliament last month, it requires the parties to take the necessary measures to support each other in the event of an attack against their sovereignty, independence or territorial integrity, according to Caasimada Online.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to publish the law in the Official Gazette this week, which will allow it to come into force. The agreement has 16 articles, provides for no expiry date and allows withdrawal after ten years, with written notice of at least three months to the other two countries, according to Caasimada Online.
Turkish officials also indicate that the next step could be parliamentary authorisation to send soldiers to Saudi Arabia to help it defend itself against attacks by the Houthis from Yemen. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said that any such operation would be defensive and that Turkish soldiers would not operate in Yemen, according to Caasimada Online.
