Maria Imran 
R4 E3 Istanbul talks
R4 E3 Istanbul talks took place on Friday, bringing together the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Türkiye, Egypt and Saudi Arabia with counterparts from the UK, Germany and France, with Italy also taking part. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan hosted the meeting, the first to unite the two groups.
R4 E3 Istanbul Talks Bring Eight Countries Together
Ministers discussed Yemen, the US-Iran conflict, the Palestinian issue and the Russia-Ukraine crisis, along with freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said the eight countries agreed to continue the work by meeting at regular intervals.
Pakistan Completes Makkah Defence Alliance Ratification
Pakistan also completed ratification of the Makkah Defence Alliance agreement with Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, the Foreign Ministry confirmed on Friday. The pact aims to strengthen security through joint deterrence and regional stability, and is not directed against any other country, as outlined in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia And Türkiye To Hold First Ministerial Meeting Under Defence Pact.
The R4 group, formed this year, brings Egypt together with the three signatories, and Türkiye has said the pact remains open to others. Fidan described the platform as informal and flexible, and said regional frameworks become credible when the countries that live with conflict take a central role in resolving it.
Restraint on Iran and Freedom of Navigation
Barrot said a new escalation between Iran and the United States would create nothing but losers and hit hydrocarbon prices, so the group called on both sides to exercise the utmost restraint. Italy’s Antonio Tajani said the aim is de-escalation to ensure freedom of navigation, adding that the problem cannot be solved purely militarily.
Fidan said none of the participating countries approved another attack on Iran, and he stressed support for Saudi Arabia’s security against Houthi attacks. For Pakistan, which depends on imported energy, open sea lanes and a diplomatic route are practical priorities, and regular meetings would let these countries align their positions before tensions deepen.
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