Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan will hold the first committee meeting under their Mecca Joint Defense Agreement on Monday in Istanbul, according to a Turkish Foreign Ministry source cited by Reuters on Sunday. Senior officials from the three countries are expected to gather for the meeting, following the agreement’s signing on August 7.

The agreement creates a new framework for defense cooperation among the three Sunni Muslim countries, which are concerned about the Iran war and regional conflicts. Its stated aim is to strengthen their collective deterrence against possible aggression. An armed attack on one member would be treated as an attack on all three, a principle described as similar to NATO’s Article 5 collective-defense provision.

Foreign and defense ministers and chiefs of staff from the three countries are expected to attend the Istanbul meeting. Discussions may focus on improving defense capabilities, increasing coordination among their armed forces, and joint production and technology development in the defense industry. International security conditions are also on the agenda. Turkey has said the pact could expand, with Egypt mentioned as a possible future member.