Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will host the foreign ministers of seven countries in Istanbul on Friday for the first-ever joint meeting of the R4 and E3 diplomatic groups. Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will represent Pakistan at the talks.
The meeting brings together the R4 mechanism, comprising Turkiye, Egypt, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, and the European E3 group of the United Kingdom, Germany and France. Turkish foreign ministry sources confirmed the unprecedented combined format on Thursday.
Istanbul R4 E3 meeting: who is attending and why it matters
Alongside Fidan and Dar, the meeting will be attended by German Foreign Minister Johann David Wadephul, UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan.
The seven countries are coming together in the R4+E3 format for the first time at Turkiye’s own initiative, according to Turkish diplomatic sources. The ministers are expected to explore opportunities for cooperation and coordination between the two groups in the coming period.
The agenda covers the Palestinian question, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, developments related to Yemen, and efforts to resolve the Russia-Ukraine war.
What Fidan is expected to say
In his remarks, Fidan is expected to stress that regional security requires regional countries to take primary responsibility. He will argue that existing disputes must not be allowed to fuel one another and that regional tensions must not escalate into wider instability.
He is also expected to reiterate that Israel’s ongoing occupation of Palestinian territories and its uncompromising stance are the main causes of tensions in the Middle East. On Iran, Fidan will likely stress that the dispute between the US and Iran can only be resolved through diplomacy and dialogue, warning that military methods offer no lasting solution.
Responding to recent Houthi attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, Fidan is expected to reaffirm Turkiye’s support for safeguarding Saudi security. He will also highlight the solidarity demonstrated by the new Makkah Defence Alliance, formed in August between Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
Why this meeting matters for Pakistan
The R4 mechanism was established this year by Turkiye, Egypt, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on the basis of regional ownership, building on the Makkah defence agreement the three countries signed in August. Pakistan has already been active in this circle: Ishaq Dar joined his Egyptian counterpart in condemning Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan, Turkiye and Egypt are among the allies moving to strengthen Saudi defences as Houthi attacks intensify.
The meeting also fits Pakistan’s wider diplomatic push. Field Marshal Asim Munir has held talks in Tehran as Pakistan mediates between the US and Iran, and Islamabad has positioned itself as a bridge between regional and Western powers.
The E3, meanwhile, emerged from trilateral diplomatic cooperation on Iran’s nuclear programme launched in 2003, and has grown into a framework for joint diplomatic initiatives on regional issues. Bringing the two groups together gives Pakistan a seat at a table where European and Middle Eastern diplomacy meet.
Frequently asked questions
What is the R4+E3 format?
The R4 groups Turkiye, Egypt, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, while the E3 comprises the UK, Germany and France. Friday’s Istanbul session is the first time the seven countries meet in this combined format.
What will the Istanbul meeting discuss?
Palestine, the Strait of Hormuz, Yemen and the Russia-Ukraine war, along with future cooperation between the R4 and E3 groups.
Who is representing Pakistan?
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will represent Pakistan at the meeting hosted by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
What is the Makkah Defence Alliance?
A mutual defence pact set up in August by Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. Egypt joined the R4 alongside the three signatories.
