Pakistan's top diplomat holds talks with Turkiye, Saudi Arabia counterparts ahead of key R4 meeting
By The South Asia Times
ISLAMABAD - Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar held separate telephone conversations with his Turkish and Saudi counterparts on Friday, with regional developments and an upcoming meeting of the R4 group high on the agenda.
Dar spoke with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, according to statements by the Pakistani foreign ministry.
The ministers exchanged views on the evolving regional situation, matters of mutual interest and forthcoming diplomatic engagements, including the next R4 meeting.
Dar also congratulated Prince Faisal on the consensus election of Mauritanian diplomat Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed as the new secretary-general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
The upcoming R4 meeting is expected to provide an opportunity for the four countries to discuss regional security and the recently signed defence agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.
The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, signed in Makkah on August 7, commits the three countries to strengthening collective security and defence cooperation. The pact stipulates that an attack against one member would be treated as an attack against all three.
Pakistan has said the agreement is open to other countries in the region that are willing to uphold its principles.
Several Muslim-majority countries are reportedly showing interest in joining the emerging security framework, including Bangladesh, Kuwait, Qatar, Egypt, Bahrain and Oman. However, there has been no formal announcement confirming their membership or an invitation from the founding countries.
The discussions at the forthcoming R4 meeting could therefore provide an important indication of whether the trilateral defence arrangement will expand into a broader regional security partnership.
Dar and his Turkish and Saudi counterparts agreed to remain closely engaged on regional developments and matters of common interest.
