DPM Dar departs for Istanbul ahead of R-4 bloc, European E3 diplomats’ meetings

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has headed to Istanbul to attend meetings of the R-4 bloc foreign ministers and the R-4+E-3 group meeting on Friday, as reported by the Foreign Office. The R-4 coalition, consisting of Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, was established in March with a focus on regional security and mediation efforts between the United States and Iran.

The E-3 group, made up of France, the United Kingdom, and Germany, was formed over two decades ago to promote diplomatic coordination on Iran's nuclear program. Dar will join the meeting on October 23 at the invitation of Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. Following the R-4 meeting, the ministers will participate in a gathering with the foreign ministers of the E-3 bloc, comprising the UK, France, and Germany.

This will be the first time the seven countries convene in this format, focusing on key regional developments and exploring coordinated diplomatic approaches to address shared challenges and promote regional peace and stability. Dar is expected to hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts during his visit. Turkey initiated the R-4+E-3 format, as the ongoing wars involving Iran, Yemen, and Ukraine pose threats to shipping routes and regional security.

The ministers are expected to discuss a range of topics, including the Israeli-Palestinian issue, the current situation in the Strait of Hormuz, developments in Yemen, efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war, and opportunities for closer cooperation between regional and European countries. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is anticipated to stress the need for a diplomatic solution to the conflict between the United States and Iran, the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation in the Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb straits, and reaffirm Turkey's support for Saudi Arabia's security under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, which was signed on August 7 to strengthen collective deterrence and empower signatory states to view an attack against one as an attack against all.