ISTANBUL – Türkiye and Qatar signed a mutual defence agreement on Friday, according to the office of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as he met Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Istanbul.
A joint statement said the agreement aims to strengthen collective defence and promote regional security, and commits both sides to a unified stance against any external armed attack on either country. The two sides also agreed to consult on threats to their security, on regional and global security issues, and on defence policies. They will expand cooperation through joint military exercises, defence-industry cooperation and training exchanges.
The accord was signed at the Dolmabahce Presidential Office during the 12th meeting of the Türkiye-Qatar Supreme Strategic Committee. Anadolu Agency reported that it was the only one of five documents signed by the two heads of state, with ministers signing the others.
Five agreements signed
The five agreements cover trade, education, diplomacy and defence. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani also signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in peace, reconciliation and conflict resolution.
Erdogan’s statement
The Turkish presidency said on X that Erdogan described the pact as adding “another dimension to our brotherhood.” It said the two countries would keep working to “prevent the resurgence of war” in the Gulf and to create a basis for dialogue. The presidency’s statement did not provide details of the defence accord.
The joint communique said the agreement reflects the two countries’ commitment to safeguarding their sovereignty and territorial integrity and a shared vision of a more secure and stable regional order.
Wider defence network
The signing follows a series of Turkish defence arrangements in the region. In August, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a regional defence pact in Mecca, under which the three countries would come to each other’s aid if one is attacked. Türkiye’s parliament ratified that agreement last week, clearing the way for Ankara to send military support to Saudi Arabia, which has been struggling to fend off attacks by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militants. In October, Qatar, Indonesia, Pakistan and Türkiye signed a multilateral memorandum of understanding on defence cooperation in Doha.
