Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday welcomed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, saying the pact could serve as a starting point for strengthening security and stability across the region.
Speaking at a joint news conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, Abbas described the agreement as an important development for the wider Muslim world.
“This agreement is very important. I hope it will be a starting point for ensuring stability and security in the region and defending the interests of the Muslim Ummah,” Abbas said.
The agreement was recently signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, establishing a trilateral framework for defence and collective security.
Abbas said his discussions with Erdogan had been “very important and productive”, covering regional developments and bilateral relations. The two leaders also agreed to strengthen dialogue between Türkiye and Palestine.
The Palestinian president thanked Türkiye for its continued support for the Palestinian cause, saying Palestinians expected Ankara to stand by them until they achieved independence and freedom.
Abbas reiterated that a just and lasting peace could only be achieved by ending the Israeli occupation and establishing an independent Palestinian state with occupied East Jerusalem as its capital.
He said such a settlement should be pursued in accordance with international law and the Arab Peace Initiative.
Turning to Gaza, Abbas credited Türkiye, Egypt, Qatar and the United States with helping secure a ceasefire but said desperately needed humanitarian assistance had still not entered the enclave.
He stressed the need for continued international efforts to ensure aid reaches Palestinians in Gaza and to advance a broader political settlement.