CAIRO: Egyptian and Pakistani officials discussed regional security and the expansion of defense coordination on Friday, as Cairo steps up its talks with key regional powers amid efforts to deescalate tensions and reshape security coordination in the region.
Egypt’s foreign minister, Badr Abdelatty, and his Pakistani counterpart, Ishaq Dar, explored ways in which their countries might enhance security and defense cooperation, and agreed to maintain close consultations, in particular through an existing four-party regional mechanism with Saudi Arabia and Turkiye that aims to support efforts to ensure security and stability.
During their telephone conversation they also discussed the latest developments in the region, and efforts to ease tensions and restore calm, Egypt’s State Information Service reported, as well as bilateral relations and opportunities to expand political, economic, trade and investment cooperation.
Their talks came a day after Abdelatty met Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Hakan Fidan, the Saudi and Turkish foreign ministers respectively, in the Egyptian city of El-Alamein for talks focusing on regional developments.
The consultations took place as Egypt considers its position on the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement signed by Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan on Aug. 7, which states that an armed attack against any of the three states will be considered an attack against them all.
During a press conference in El-Alamein, Fidan urged Cairo to join the pact. Abdelatty said Egypt would need to carefully examine the legal and constitutional implications before making any decision.
The Egyptian and Pakistani foreign ministers did not publicly link Friday’s discussions about defense cooperation and regional security arrangements to the Makkah agreement.
