Makkah Joint Defence Agreement may pave way for broader regional security architecture: Experts

ISLAMABAD, Aug 19 (APP):The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement could serve as an important first step towards developing a broader regional security architecture, with its potential expansion to other countries offering prospects for greater peace and stability in the region, experts said on Wednesday. They were speaking at a roundtable discussion on 'The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement and the Emerging Regional Security Architecture', organized by the Centre for Afghanistan, Middle East and Africa (CAMEA) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), said a press release. Former diplomats, leading academics, security analysts and prominent practitioners joined the discussion, which focused on the significance of the recently concluded Makkah Joint Defence Pact, its potential impact on the regional security landscape, and the evolving role of Pakistan in the emerging regional security architecture. Participants noted that the Agreement could be seen as a first step towards a broader regional security architecture, which, with possible inclusion of other states in future, could contribute to regional peace and stability. They underscored the defensive nature of the agreement and that it was not targeted towards any country.