Türkiye's Grand National Assembly has ratified the Mecca Agreement on joint defense cooperation among Türkiye, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, marking a new step in military coordination among the three countries.

The bill was approved by 279 votes in favor and 119 against. The agreement will enter into force once it is signed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, according to TRT Haber.

The Mecca Agreement on Joint Defense Cooperation was signed on August 7.

The document envisages the establishment of coordination mechanisms involving the three countries' defense ministers, foreign ministers and chiefs of general staff, ensuring cooperation at the highest level.

Military cooperation will initially begin with command-and-staff exercises and field drills. At later stages, it is expected to expand to joint exercises involving land, naval and air forces, air defense systems and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).