Ishaq Dar arrives in Turkey for regional, European ministerial talks

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Istanbul on Friday for ministerial talks involving Turkey, France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom.

Islamabad is seeking deeper diplomatic engagement on regional and international issues.

Why is Ishaq Dar visiting Istanbul?

Ishaq Dar is in Istanbul at the invitation of Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Pakistan’s Foreign Office said. The one-day visit includes the R-4 and E-3 meetings, a scheduled meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and bilateral talks with his counterparts.

According to a source familiar with the agenda, the discussions are expected to cover the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and developments in Yemen.

They will also address efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war and prospects for closer cooperation between regional and European countries.

What are the R-4 and E-3 groupings?

The meetings bring together the R-4 grouping, comprising Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, and the E-3, comprising France, Germany and the United Kingdom. Italy is also participating in the talks, the Foreign Office said.

The R-4 emerged in March and has focused on regional security and mediation efforts between the United States and Iran. The E-3 countries established their diplomatic coordination more than two decades ago, particularly to address Iran’s nuclear program.

Cihad Erginay, a director general at Turkey's Foreign Ministry, received Dar on arrival. Pakistani diplomatic officials also greeted him, including Chargé d’Affaires Shaiq Ahmed, Consul General in Istanbul Khawaja Khurram Naeem and Additional Secretary Khalil Hashmi.