ISTANBUL (The Thursday Times) — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is attending a meeting of R4 foreign ministers in Istanbul on Friday, followed by the first-ever R4+E3 session bringing in Britain, France and Germany, the Foreign Office said.
Dar was invited by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. The R4 grouping brings together Pakistan, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Egypt; Friday’s expanded meeting with the E3 countries is the first time all seven have met in this format, a Turkish diplomatic source told Reuters.
Shipping lanes and regional security
The talks are expected to focus on recent regional developments and coordinated diplomatic approaches to shared challenges and regional peace and stability, the Foreign Office said. Dar will also hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts on the sidelines.
Reuters reported that the meeting is seen as significant given threats to shipping lanes and regional security from the wars tied to Iran, Yemen and Ukraine. Sources said the agenda includes the Israel-Palestine conflict, the latest situation in the Strait of Hormuz, Yemen, efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war, and ways to deepen cooperation between the regional and European countries.
Fidan expected to press for an Iran-US diplomatic solution
Fidan is expected to stress the need for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict between the United States and Iran, and to underline the importance of freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab-el-Mandeb. Diplomatic sources said he is also likely to reaffirm Türkiye’s support for Saudi Arabia’s security against attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, support that comes in the context of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement signed by Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia in August.
Fidan is also expected to brief his counterparts on Türkiye’s efforts to stop the Ukraine war from spreading into the Black Sea, and to flag the risks the conflict poses to regional security.
The Foreign Office said Pakistan’s participation reflects its continued commitment to constructive diplomacy, regional cooperation and the peaceful resolution of disputes.∎
