R4+E3 meeting: Pakistan, European and Mideast diplomats to meet in Istanbul Friday

Foreign ministers from Britain, France, Germany, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Egypt will hold the first R4+E3 meeting in Istanbul on Friday. Ankara initiated the talks, a Turkish foreign ministry source said, and ministers will discuss the Palestinian issue, Yemen, the Strait of Hormuz and the Russia-Ukraine war.

What is the R4+E3 meeting in Istanbul?

The R4+E3 meeting is a new diplomatic format linking two country groups. The R4 includes Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, while the E3 includes Britain, France and Germany. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will host the first session, which Turkey proposed to explore cooperation and coordination.

What will the foreign ministers discuss?

"The seven countries will come together for the first time in the R4+E3 format, at Turkey's initiative," the source said. The ministers would explore "opportunities for cooperation and coordination that could be put into practice ... in the coming period." The agenda covers the Palestinian issue, developments in Yemen and the Strait of Hormuz, and ways to end the Russia-Ukraine war.

What is Turkey expected to raise at the meeting?

In chairing the meeting, Fidan was expected to focus on the international community "increasing pressure on Israel" in response to its settlement expansion and its "encouragement of settler terrorism," the source said. Fidan would also underline support for Saudi Arabia's security in the face of attacks by Yemen's Houthis. He would stress the need for permanent freedom of navigation in the Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb Straits.

Fidan would also reiterate Turkey's ongoing "warnings and proposals" to prevent the Russia-Ukraine war from spreading to the Black Sea. He would call for a line to be drawn under civilian deaths there.

How were the E3 and R4 groups formed?

The E3 was set up more than 20 years ago to advance diplomatic coordination over Iran's nuclear program. The R4 was formed this year and brings together Egypt with the signatories to the Mecca Defense Agreement. That mutual defense pact was set up by Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in August.