08.08.2026 17:11
The Mecca Joint Defense Agreement signed by Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan has resonated widely around the world and has also kept Greece up at night. A report in one of the country's leading newspapers, Kathimerini, wrote that the agreement has caused disappointment in Athens. The report noted that despite the rapprochement between Greece and Saudi Arabia, the agreement could negatively affect, in particular, defense obligations.
Greece's Kathimerini newspaper wrote that the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement signed by Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan caused disappointment in Athens, and that despite Greece's rapprochement with Saudi Arabia, the agreement could negatively affect defense obligations and the IMEC project.
"THERE IS DISAPPOINTMENT IN ATHENS"
Kathimerini, one of Greece's leading newspapers, wrote that the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement signed between Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan "created unease in Athens."
In the news published under the title "Mecca Agreement Created Unease in Athens," it was stated that despite the close relations Greece has developed with Saudi Arabia in recent years, the agreement caused disappointment in Athens.
"IT MAY NEGATIVELY AFFECT THE IMEC PROJECT"
In the news, it was noted that Greece closely follows the US efforts to strengthen regional cooperation against Iran, but failed to foresee that the process would conclude with an agreement containing mutual defense obligations, and it was pointed out that the agreement could negatively affect expectations regarding the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) project, which Greece supports.
The news emphasized that Athens has made significant diplomatic initiatives in the last five years to strengthen its relations with Saudi Arabia, and in this context, it was recalled that Greece deployed Patriot air defense systems to Saudi Arabia and that Greek military personnel in the country contributed to the protection of Saudi energy infrastructure.
"ANKARA AIMS TO INCREASE DEFENSE INDUSTRY EXPORTS TO THE GULF"
In the news, it was claimed that the agreement signed between Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan is a result of Riyadh's quest to strengthen regional defense cooperation against security threats arising from the Houthis.
Pointing out that Ankara aims to increase defense industry exports to Gulf countries with the agreement, the news reported that Turkey and Pakistan cooperate in the development of unmanned aerial vehicles, while Saudi Arabia has purchased unmanned aerial vehicles from Turkish defense company Baykar.
In the Kathimerini report, it was stated that Turkish officials declared that the agreement is entirely for defensive purposes, does not target any country, and may be open to other countries in the region in the future.