Key Takeaways
- Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Istanbul for regional security talks.
- The R-4 bloc, comprising Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye, focuses on regional security.
- The E-3 group, including UK, France, and Germany, will discuss the Iranian crisis.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has arrived in Istanbul for a series of high-level meetings, including a gathering of the R-4 bloc and discussions with European diplomats.
The R-4 group, which includes Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye, was established in March to address regional security issues and mediate between the United States and Iran.
During his one-day visit, Dar will participate in meetings with the R-4 bloc and the R-4-plus group, which includes France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom.
The meetings will focus on key regional developments, including the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and the ongoing tensions in Saudi Arabia.
The European E-3 bloc, comprising the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, will also be present, with talks expected to revolve around the Iranian crisis and its various ramifications.
The meetings aim to explore coordinated diplomatic approaches to address shared challenges and advance regional peace and stability.
In a post on X, the Foreign Office stated that Pakistan’s participation reflects its commitment to constructive diplomacy and regional cooperation.
Dar will also hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts, including a call on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
A Turkish diplomatic source confirmed that the seven countries would meet in the R-4+E-3 format for the first time, initiated by Turkey as a response to ongoing regional crises.
