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

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has journeyed to Istanbul to join a meeting of R-4 bloc foreign ministers and an R-4+E-3 gathering on Friday, according to the Foreign Office (FO). The R-4 coalition, consisting of Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye, was formed in March and concentrates on regional security and diplomacy between the United States and Iran.

The E-3 coalition, made up of France, the United Kingdom, and Germany, was established over two decades ago to enhance diplomatic coordination on Iran's nuclear program. The FO announced that Dar will attend the meeting on October 23 at the invitation of Turkiye's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. After the R-4 meeting, the ministers will convene with the foreign ministers of the European E-3 bloc, comprising the UK, France, and Germany.

This will be the inaugural meeting of the seven nations in this configuration, with discussions focused on major regional developments and coordinated diplomatic strategies to tackle common challenges and promote regional peace and stability. Dar is also scheduled to meet individually with his counterparts during his visit. Pakistan's involvement underscores its ongoing dedication to constructive diplomacy, regional collaboration, and resolving conflicts peacefully.

Turkish diplomatic sources revealed that the seven countries will convene in the R-4+E-3 format for the first time at Turkiye's lead, as conflicts involving Iran, Yemen, and Ukraine jeopardize shipping lanes and regional security. The ministers are anticipated to deliberate on the Israeli-Palestinian dispute, the latest situation in the Strait of Hormuz, developments in Yemen, endeavors to end the Russia-Ukraine war, and avenues for enhanced cooperation among regional and European nations.

Fidan is anticipated to highlight the necessity for a diplomatic resolution to the U.S.-Iran conflict, the significance of freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb, and reaffirm Turkiye's backing for Saudi Arabia's security against attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, signed on August 7 by Islamabad, Ankara, and Riyadh.