By The South Asia Times

ISTANBUL - Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar joined his counterparts from Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Egypt in Istanbul on Friday for talks on Middle East security, regional conflicts and diplomatic efforts to promote peace, as the four countries sought closer coordination on regional challenges.

The sixth meeting of the R4 foreign ministers brought together Dar, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, according to Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry.

The ministers reviewed regional developments since their previous meeting in New York, focusing particularly on the situation in the Middle East and related security challenges and conflicts.

They expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia and reaffirmed their support for its sovereignty and territorial integrity, while condemning Houthi attacks targeting the kingdom. The ministers also stressed the importance of respecting state sovereignty and discussed ways to strengthen regional coordination and diplomatic efforts to achieve lasting peace and stability.

- Broader engagement with European powers

The Istanbul meetings also brought together the R4 countries and the foreign ministers of France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom in a broader R4-plus-E4 ministerial format.

The expanded consultations provide an opportunity for the participating countries to exchange views on regional and international developments and coordinate diplomatic approaches to shared security concerns.

Dar met German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on the sidelines of the meetings to discuss bilateral relations and opportunities to deepen cooperation between Pakistan and Germany.

The two ministers expressed their desire to strengthen ties through sustained engagement and cooperation in areas of mutual interest. They also discussed regional and international developments, emphasising dialogue, diplomacy and continued international engagement as means of addressing emerging challenges and promoting peace.

Dar welcomed the constructive engagement of Germany, France, Italy and the United Kingdom with the R4 framework, highlighting the importance of continued consultations and diplomatic coordination.

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry did not detail the outcome of any separate bilateral meetings with the French or British foreign ministers.

- Pakistan and Türkiye reaffirm close ties

Dar also held talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, thanking Türkiye for hosting both the R4 meeting and the broader gathering involving the four European powers.

During their meeting, Dar expressed condolences over the loss of life caused by flash floods following heavy rainfall in Türkiye and wished those affected a speedy recovery.

The two ministers reviewed Pakistan-Türkiye relations and exchanged views on regional developments, particularly the situation in the Middle East and Palestine. They expressed concern over threats to regional stability and emphasised the need for dialogue, diplomacy and coordinated efforts to promote peace and security.

Both sides strongly condemned the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and reaffirmed their commitment to close coordination on regional issues, including under the Makkah Defence Agreement involving Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia.

The ministers also reiterated their commitment to strengthening longstanding ties between Pakistan and Türkiye and expanding cooperation across areas of mutual interest, both bilaterally and through multilateral forums.

- Focus on regional stability

The Istanbul meetings reflect ongoing diplomatic engagement among regional powers and European countries over security challenges in the Middle East and the need for coordinated responses to conflicts.

For Pakistan, the discussions offer an opportunity to strengthen ties with Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Egypt while maintaining engagement with major European partners on issues affecting regional and international security.

The meetings also come as concerns over attacks targeting Saudi Arabia, instability in the Middle East and the situation in Palestine remain important subjects of regional diplomacy.

The participating countries have emphasised dialogue, respect for sovereignty and sustained diplomatic engagement as key elements in efforts to promote peace and stability.