Five-country Muslim group to boost regional security

By Ugur Aslanhan

ANKARA (AA) - A “five-nation mechanism” between Turkey, Pakistan, Qatar, Malaysia and Indonesia will improve regional stability, Defense Minister Fikri Isik said Wednesday.

The Muslim alliance formed on the sideline of a maritime and aerospace exhibition in Kuala Lumpur in March will focus on defense to explore ways of increasing security.

“I think that the mechanism will also contribute to the stability of the region and the peace of the world,” Isik said at a defense industry fair in Istanbul.

He added that the model would provide an example for other countries to follow.

The Kuala Lumpur agreement stresses defense relations between the partner nations.

Discussions in March focussed on the importance of unity among Muslims and how to face security challenges such as radicalism, extremism and terrorism, according to a statement by Malaysian Defense Minister Hishammuddin Hussein.

The proposed scheme would involve collaborations between defense industries and militaries as well as a focus on peacekeeping and humanitarian assistance.

The initiative will also increase coordination and cooperation among member rectify misconceptions about Islam.

A ministerial meeting is due to be held in Qatar later this year.