ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will work with Saudi Arabia and Turkey to play a “constructive role” in ensuring the defense of their countries and the wider region, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Monday, as he welcomed US President Donald Trump’s support for the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement.

“Deeply appreciate President Donald Trump’s kind words of support on the signing of the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement,” Sharif said in a statement.

“Together with the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Turkey, Pakistan will continue to play a constructive role in ensuring the defense of our own countries as well as the entire region,” he added.

Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan signed the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement in the holy city of Mecca on Aug. 7, establishing closer defense cooperation between the three countries.

Trump has welcomed the trilateral defense agreement, describing it as a “big, bold and important first step” and expressing support for greater collective defense capabilities among Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan.