Joint Press Release on the R4 Ministerial Meeting in Istanbul
Foreign ministers from Türkiye, Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, France, Germany, Italy and the UK met in Istanbul to discuss regional conflicts and maritime security, reaffirming commitment to diplomacy and UN-backed solutions.
The R4 ministers—from Türkiye, Egypt, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia—joined counterparts from France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom in Istanbul to review conflicts affecting regional and global stability. Discussions covered the US/Israel-Iran confrontation, the Israeli-Palestinian dispute, and the Houthi militia’s attacks on Saudi Arabia and Yemen, alongside maritime security concerns in the Strait of Hormuz, Bab El Mandeb and the Black Sea.
Ministers underscored the necessity of negotiated solutions, including a two-state framework for Israel and Palestine, and condemned the Houthi attacks as destabilising regional security. They also highlighted threats to commercial shipping lanes and stressed the importance of freedom of navigation in critical waterways.
The group reaffirmed adherence to relevant UN resolutions, calling for durable political settlements to outstanding conflicts through dialogue rather than escalation. They noted the economic and trade disruptions caused by ongoing hostilities and maritime insecurity.
The ministers agreed to maintain this format of dialogue to prevent further conflict and advance peace, with plans to reconvene and coordinate efforts aimed at de-escalation and regional stability in the coming months.