R4, European nations call for dialogue to resolve Middle East conflicts: FO

A joint statement released by Pakistan, Turkiye, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia (R4) emphasizes the necessity of dialogue and diplomacy to resolve conflicts in the Middle East. On October 23, foreign ministers from these nations convened in Istanbul to discuss pressing regional and international issues. These discussions encompassed the US-Israel-Iran conflict, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the viability of a two-state solution for Palestinians.

Furthermore, the ministers addressed the violent assaults perpetrated by the Houthi militia against Saudi Arabia and Yemen, the safety and freedom of navigation in vital waterways, and the intensifying tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb, and the Black Sea. All parties involved expressed their unwavering commitment to engaging in diplomatic endeavors aimed at fostering peace and stability throughout the region and globally.

They also underscored the "urgent need" to resolve these conflicts through dialogue and de-escalation, in line with relevant United Nations resolutions. The R4 group, consisting of Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye, was established in March with the primary objective of promoting regional security and mediating between the United States and Iran.

The previous day, Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar joined his counterparts from Turkey, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia for the sixth foreign ministers' meeting. During this session, they reviewed the current situation in the Middle East, deliberated on regional security challenges, and discussed potential solutions to ongoing conflicts.