Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud said a defense agreement with Pakistan and Turkey will strengthen efforts to address regional challenges and maintain security and stability. He made the remarks at a Cabinet meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday, according to the report.

King Salman described the Mecca agreement as a long-term defense partnership that would expand cooperation. Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed the agreement at a trilateral summit in Mecca last Friday. He said the summit reaffirmed a commitment to further strengthen the three countries’ longstanding historical ties and bonds of brotherhood.

The summit also emphasized advancing the three countries’ common strategic interests. Under the agreement, the countries pledged to strengthen joint security, deepen defense cooperation, and work toward peace and stability in the region and beyond.