Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has hinted at the potential for Egypt to join a defense agreement with Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan, known as the 'Mecca Agreement'. This opens the door for other nations to join.
In an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera's 'The Interview', Erdogan explained that the agreement mandates a unified response from signatory countries if any of them faces external aggression, sending a 'crucial message to the world'.
The Turkish president addressed key regional and global issues, chiefly the Hormuz Strait crisis, emphasizing Ankara's priority of reopening the maritime passage, which he noted benefits no one if it remains closed.
He praised Qatar's mediating role in efforts to halt regional warfare amid ongoing diplomatic initiatives to de-escalate tensions and reach agreements among involved parties.
On the Syrian issue, Erdogan affirmed that Syria ‘will not stand alone’ and pledged full Turkish support for its stability, announcing plans to visit Syria soon.
He highlighted that Syrian Kurds will also gain peace and stability, underscoring Ankara's continued efforts to bolster relations and uphold rights for Kurds across the region.
Regarding Gaza, Erdogan declared that Turkey ‘will not abandon Gaza’, committing to necessary measures for supporting the region while acknowledging Hamas's adherence compared to Israel's continuation of war.
Discussing Lebanon, Erdogan voiced deep concerns over continuing Israeli attacks, mentioning talks with US President Donald Trump during a recent Turkey visit about the urgent need to halt the conflict.
Erdogan stressed the significant role the US could play in ending the war on Lebanon as Turkey persists in its diplomatic maneuvers regarding regional crises.
Furthermore, Erdogan touched on Sudan's developments, promising ongoing Turkish support for the nation, highlighting strong ties with Sudan's Sovereignty Council leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.
On Libya, he affirmed stable Turkish-Libyan relations, stating Turkey's intention not to abandon Libya, ensuring continued presence and support in the Libyan matter.
Concerning Ankara's relationship with the EU, Erdogan remarked on Europe's lack of interest in Turkey's EU membership, noting that joining is no longer a priority for Turkey.
He argued that Europe would lose out if Turkey remains outside of the union, highlighting the ongoing divergence in views between Ankara and Brussels regarding Turkey’s long-standing membership bid.
For U.S. F-35 fighter jets, Erdogan disclosed a promise from Trump concerning the aircraft, expressing anticipation for the American president's fulfillment of this commitment.
Erdogan's remarks reflect the breadth of Turkey's strategic involvement ranging from defense treaties to relations with regional nations and crises in Syria, Gaza, Lebanon, Sudan, and Libya, alongside unresolved issues with Washington and the EU.