The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement seeks to strengthen collective deterrence, with an armed attack on any one of the three countries to be treated as an attack on all

Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan have decided to set up a secretariat in Riyadh under their Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, with the body initially set to be headed by a Pakistani secretary-general for three years, according to a Reuters report, citing a joint statement issued by the three countries on Monday.

Representatives from the three countries met in Istanbul on Monday to discuss the implementation of the defence pact and ways to strengthen military cooperation.

The countries agreed to work towards enhancing their collective defence capabilities and improving the cohesion of their armed forces, the statement said.

After the meeting, Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the three member states had agreed to begin establishing the grouping's institutional structure, including a permanent secretariat in Riyadh.

"There is a secretariat that has been established in Riyadh, and the first secretary general will be appointed from amongst our Pakistani brothers," The Print quoted Fidan as saying in Turkish at a news conference after the meeting.

"As of today, we have started the process of establishing the institutional structure of the alliance," he added.

Fidan said the three countries discussed "how and when to begin institutionalisation" of the alliance, with all sides sharing their views.

He said the bloc would remain open to other countries, although potential members would have to meet conditions and standards that are yet to be defined.

He stressed that the alliance was not directed against any particular country and would be based on respect for national sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-interference in domestic affairs.

"We will closely cooperate with friendly countries, and we will continue coordinating our efforts," Fidan said.

He added that the alliance could expand once its institutional mechanisms were fully operational. "If an ally wants to join, the alliance should be functional in a proper manner by then," he said.

Pakistan was represented by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Field Marshal Asim Munir. Turkey was represented by Fidan, Defence Minister Ya?ar Güler and Chief of the General Staff General Selçuk Bayraktaro?lu, while Saudi Arabia's delegation included Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman and Chief of Staff General Fayyad bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili.