Report : Tazeen Akhtar
The Foreign Ministers of the Republic of Türkiye, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (R4), as well as the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom met in İstanbul on 23 October 2026.
The Ministers discussed various issues of regional and international importance, namely US/Israel-Iran conflict, Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the need for a negotiated two-state solution, the appalling Houthi militia attacks against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of Yemen, safety and freedom of navigation, escalated tension in Straits of Hormuz and Bab El Mandeb and the Black Sea.
They expressed their commitment to continue contributing towards diplomatic efforts aimed at promoting peace and stability in the region and beyond, and addressing the security, economic and trade implications of these issues.
The Ministers agreed on the urgent need to address regional conflicts through dialogue, diplomacy and de-escalation. In accordance with the relevant UN Resolutions, they emphasized the need for finding lasting negotiated solutions to all outstanding conflicts.
Istanbul hosted on 23 October 2026 the first-ever joint meeting between the newly formed R4 Group and the European powers in R4 + E3 + Italy format — eight countries in total — at the initiative of Türkiye.
What is R4? The R4 group, comprising Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, emerged in March 2026 and has been focusing on regional security and mediation efforts between the United States and Iran. Three of its members — Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan — are signatories to the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, a mutual defence pact set up in August 2026.
The pact establishes a defence alliance aimed at strengthening security through joint deterrence and is not directed against any other country. Pakistan confirmed completion of ratification on 23 October itself.
What is E3? The E3 group — Britain, France and Germany — was set up more than 20 years ago to advance diplomatic coordination over Iran’s nuclear program. Italy joined this Istanbul meeting as the 8th participant.
The meeting was held in two phases:
Phase 1: 6th Meeting of R4 Foreign Ministers
Phase 2: First R4 + France, Germany, Italy and UK Ministerial Meeting
Venue: A hotel overlooking the Bosphorus, Istanbul. 2.
PARTICIPANTS :
The Host H.E. Hakan Fidan, Foreign Minister of Türkiye
Chair of both meetings. Veteran diplomat and former head of Turkish Intelligence. Fidan initiated this new format to promote “regional ownership” — arguing that countries in the region should take primary responsibility for their own security and prevent disputes from escalating. He also held separate bilateral meetings on the sidelines with British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband and Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
H.E. Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Deputy Prime Minister / Foreign Minister of Pakistan
Arrived in Istanbul for a one-day visit. He was received by Ambassador Cihad Erginay, DG at Turkish MFA, Pakistan’s Chargé d’Affaires Shaiq Ahmed, Consul General in Istanbul Khawaja Khurram Naeem, and Additional Secretary Ambassador Khalil Hashmi. Dar is Pakistan’s lead mediator in current Gulf tensions.
H.R.H. Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia – Key R4 member and signatory of Makkah Defence Agreement. His security concerns against Houthi attacks were central to the agenda.
H.E. Badr Abdelatty, Foreign Minister of Egypt – Egypt joined the R4 this year, expanding the Makkah pact core. Participated in both R4 and R4+ meetings.
EUROPEAN GROUP (E3 + Italy):
Rt Hon Ed Miliband, British Foreign Secretary
New British Foreign Secretary. His office said Istanbul talks would essentially revolve around “the Strait of Hormuz and the situation in Saudi Arabia”. He was tasked to advocate for a diplomatic solution to the Hormuz crisis that restores full navigational rights and freedoms and to highlight how Iranian tactics are being replicated across the region.
H.E. Jean-Noël Barrot, Foreign Minister of France
Confirmed talks on “the Iranian crisis in its various ramifications”, hailing it as a first in this format against a backdrop of extreme instability. France stated the aim is to “strengthen coordination between Europeans and Middle Eastern countries in the face of crises that we did not choose and that affect us all”.
H.E. Johann David Wadephul, Foreign Minister of Germany
Representing Germany in the E3 framework, focusing on Iran nuclear file and Russia-Ukraine war diplomacy.
H.E. Antonio Tajani, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Italy
Italian Deputy PM and FM was also expected to attend, bringing number to eight. Italy participated in the wider R4+ discussions.
AGENDA AND DELIBERATIONS – ISSUE BY ISSUE
According to Turkish Foreign Ministry sources and Foreign Office of Pakistan, the agenda covered five critical dossiers:
A) US-Iran Conflict and Gulf Developments
The main focus. “Developments in the Gulf region amid the US-Israeli war on Iran came under discussion”.
Turkish position: Diplomacy and mediation are more necessary than ever, lasting solutions cannot be imposed from outside. Fidan stressed diplomacy and dialogue offer only lasting solution, warning military action risks widening conflict.
Pakistan position: DPM Dar briefed counterparts on Pakistan’s diplomatic and mediatory role to de-escalate tensions, prevent resumption of hostilities and promote peace.
B) Freedom of Navigation – Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb
Fidan was expected to stress importance of maintaining freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb. Britain strongly advocated for restoring full navigational rights, stressing pressure on vital waterways and global chokepoints such as Bab al-Mandab and Suez Canal.
C) Yemen and Saudi Security
Fidan reaffirmed Türkiye’s support for Saudi Arabia’s security against Houthi attacks under Mecca Joint Defence Agreement.R4 ministers in their separate 6th meeting expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia, reaffirmed support for its sovereignty and territorial integrity, condemned Houthi attacks and underscored importance of respecting state sovereignty.
D) Palestinian Issue
Fidan expected to call for greater international pressure on Israel over settlement expansion and settler violence, reaffirm support for two-state solution, and warn against steps undermining Jerusalem’s historical and legal status.
Discussions focused on Israeli occupation as main cause of regional instability.
E) Russia-Ukraine War
Ministers discussed efforts to end the war and prevent its spread to Black Sea. Fidan reiterated Türkiye’s ongoing warnings and proposals to prevent war from spreading to Black Sea and to draw line under civilian deaths.
PAKISTAN’S SPECIFIC ROLE
As per FO statement officially released after meeting: “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.
The DPM/FM Pakistan briefed his counterparts on the diplomatic and mediatory role Pakistan continues to play in de-escalating tensions, preventing resumption of hostilities and promoting peace.”
This confirms Pakistan’s positioning as a mediator, not a party to conflict.
CONCLUSION AND JOINT UNDERSTANDING
1. R4 Internal Conclusion: After their 6th R4 meeting, ministers reviewed developments since their last meeting in New York in September, with particular focus on Middle East and related security challenges.
2. R4+ Conclusion: For the broader meeting with Europeans:”All Ministers agreed for continued engagement in this format.”
Turkish diplomatic source also noted they would explore “opportunities for cooperation and coordination that could be put into practice in the coming period”.
This establishes Istanbul Format (R4+E3+Italy) as a new regular diplomatic platform for Gulf crisis management, linking regional ownership (R4 + Makkah Alliance) with European diplomatic weight (E3).
This format strengthens Pakistan’s international standing as part of both a regional security architecture and a bridge to European powers for mediation.
