The foreign ministers of France, Britain, Germany, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Pakistan meet on Friday in Istanbul
Agencies2 min read
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Talks will be held in Istanbul on Friday between the foreign ministers of three major European countries and their counterparts in Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Egypt, at the initiative of Ankara, according to a source in the Turkish Foreign Ministry.
The source explained that the foreign ministers of what is known as the "E3" group, which includes Britain, France, and Germany, will meet their counterparts from the recently established "R4" group to discuss the Palestinian issue, developments in Yemen and the Strait of Hormuz, and ways to end the war between Russia and Ukraine.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is hosting the meeting, which is the first of its kind between the two groups.
The source said that "the seven countries will meet for the first time in this format at the initiative of Turkey," explaining that they will discuss "opportunities for cooperation and coordination that can be implemented (...) in the coming period."
He added that Fidan, as chair of the meeting, will focus on the need for the international community to "intensify pressure on Israel" in response to its settlement expansion and "encouragement of settler terrorism."
He will also affirm support for the security of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the face of Yemeni Houthi attacks, stressing the need to ensure permanent freedom of navigation in the Straits of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab.
The Turkish minister will reiterate the "warnings and proposals" that Turkey constantly puts forward to prevent the expansion of the Russian-Ukrainian war into the Black Sea region, and to put an end to civilian casualties there.
The "E3" group was established more than 20 years ago to enhance diplomatic coordination regarding the Iranian nuclear program, while the "R4" group was formed this year and includes Egypt alongside the signatories of the "Makkah Defense Agreement," a joint defense agreement concluded by Turkey, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan in August.
