ISTANBUL, AUG 31: Senior officials from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan gathered in Istanbul on Monday for the first meeting of the Strategic Political and Defense Committee established under the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement.

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, who led the Kingdom’s delegation, arrived earlier accompanied by Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and other senior military officials.

The meeting is attended by defense and foreign ministers and military chiefs from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan.

Discussions were expected to cover enhancing defense capabilities, greater interoperability among the armed forces and deepening cooperation in the defense industry, including joint production and development, Reuters had reported on Sunday.

The Mecca Joint Defense Agreement signed earlier this month commits the three countries to mutual defense in the event of any of them being attacked.