Mecca Alliance will be ‘game-changing platform’: Turkish foreign minister

The three-nation Mecca Alliance will be a “very game-changing platform,” said Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Saturday, adding that the initiative has reached an advanced stage, with efforts underway to establish its headquarters and assign personnel.

Speaking to Turkish broadcaster NTV on foreign policy issues, Fidan said there is “a very strong will” behind the alliance – formed last month between Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan – and that Ankara is working to turn this political will into action.

“The Mecca Alliance is really at a good stage. There’s a very strong will that has been put forward. We’re working with all our strength to put this will into action,” Fidan said.

“The Mecca Alliance will be a very game-changing platform,” he added.

Fidan said the next stage will be to deploy personnel and establish the alliance’s headquarters.

He said that once steps toward institutionalization are taken, talks could be held on bringing new members into the alliance.

“It is an alliance open to the countries of the region,” he said.

Netanyahu’s attacks on Türkiye are meant to bolster his domestic political position

Fidan also addressed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent statements targeting Türkiye, saying Netanyahu is trying to bolster his political position at home ahead of Israel’s close Oct. 27 elections.

“Hostility toward Türkiye is also a product of this. We don’t underestimate it,” Fidan said.

He said Türkiye hopes Israel will move to adopt a foreign policy based on peace, respect, and cooperation that would serve both Israel and the region, adding: “Otherwise, it will not only grow increasingly isolated, but will also pay the price itself together with the region.”

“Israel is a threat not only to the region but to the world,” Fidan added.

Regional developments

On the process of the dissolution and integration of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into the Syrian state and military, Fidan said there is a desire among the parties to move the process forward in a controlled manner.

Addressing the crisis over the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, Fidan said there are many initiatives but that they need to produce concrete outcomes through the relevant parties.

On the understanding reached between Iran and the US amid their continuing hostilities, Fidan said the parties had begun interpreting the ongoing process differently in ways that served their respective interests.