Developments in the Gulf region amid the US-Israeli war on Iran came under discussion as the R4 foreign ministers – Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye – met with their counterparts from France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom.
The R4 group, comprising Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, emerged in March and has been focusing on regional security and mediation efforts between the United States and Iran.
According to the Foreign Office (FO), Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar participated in the first meeting between the R4 and France, Germany, Italy and the UK.
“The meeting provided an opportunity for exchange of views on regional developments in the Gulf region, their social and economic impacts, and the urgent need to foster diplomatic engagement to resolve regional challenges of peace, security and stability,” it said.
“Dar briefed his counterparts on the diplomatic and mediatory role Pakistan continues to play in de-escalating tensions, preventing resumption of hostilities and promoting peace. All ministers agreed for continued engagement in this format,” it said.
The R4 bloc also held a separate meeting. According to the FO, Dar participated in the sixth R4 foreign ministers’ meeting alongside Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, and Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud of Saudi Arabia.
The ministers reviewed developments in the region since their last meeting in New York in September, with “particular focus on the situation in the Middle East and related security challenges and conflicts”, the FO said.
They expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia and reaffirmed their support for its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The FO added that the ministers also condemned the Houthi attacks targeting Saudi Arabia and underscored the importance of respecting state sovereignty.
“They discussed ways to strengthen regional coordination and advance diplomatic efforts to promote lasting peace, security, and stability,” it said.
Dar earlier held bilateral meetings with his Turkish, Egyptian, Saudi and German counterparts on the sidelines of the R4 ministerial meeting and talks with European diplomats in Istanbul, the Foreign Office (FO) said.
In his meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Dar thanked Türkiye for hosting the meetings. The two discussed bilateral relations and regional developments, particularly the situation in the Middle East and Palestine, emphasizing dialogue, diplomacy and coordinated efforts to promote regional peace and security.
Both ministers strongly condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and reaffirmed their commitment to coordination on regional issues, including under the Makkah Defence Agreement. They also pledged to strengthen Pakistan-Türkiye friendship and cooperation bilaterally and through multilateral forums.
Dar later met Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty to discuss regional and international developments, particularly Palestine and the Middle East. They emphasized sustained dialogue, reaffirmed longstanding bilateral ties and agreed to boost cooperation in trade, business, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, connectivity, renewable energy, defence and people-to-people exchanges. Both also committed to closer coordination under the R4 framework.
During his meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Dar expressed Pakistan’s full support for Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The two leaders reaffirmed their strategic partnership, underscoring the importance of regular consultations and cooperation under the bilateral Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement and the Makkah Defence Agreement involving Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia.
Dar also met German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul to discuss bilateral relations and regional and international developments. Both stressed the importance of dialogue, diplomacy and sustained international engagement to promote peace and stability.
Dar welcomed Germany’s constructive engagement, alongside France, Italy and the United Kingdom, with the R4 framework, emphasizing continued consultations and diplomatic coordination on shared concerns.
The meetings highlighted Pakistan’s efforts to strengthen regional partnerships, coordinate diplomatic initiatives and support peace and stability amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
Separately, the Turkish foreign minister warned on Friday that a new attack on Iran would further spread war and conflict across the region.
“Military intervention in Iran is by no means a solution. No one supports this at the moment,” Hakan Fidan told reporters after an R4+E3 meeting in Istanbul, the first-ever meeting in this format.
The US and Israel are said to have developed plans for renewed strikes against Iran after the American midterm elections.
The war that began in late February has yet to be settled despite a ceasefire and a memorandum of understanding to finalize a peace deal.