Turkey will host the foreign ministers of Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Britain, France and Germany in Istanbul on Friday for talks on regional conflicts, a Turkish diplomatic source told Reuters on Thursday.
The seven countries will meet in this format for the first time, at Turkey's initiative, the source said, as wars involving Iran, Yemen and Ukraine threaten shipping routes and regional security.
What is on the table
The ministers are expected to discuss the Israeli-Palestinian issue, the latest situation in the Strait of Hormuz, developments related to Yemen, efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war, and opportunities for closer cooperation between regional and European countries, the source added.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is expected to emphasise the need for a diplomatic solution to the war between the United States and Iran, and the importance of freedom of navigation in the straits of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb, the source said.
Fidan is also expected to reiterate Turkey's support for Saudi Arabia's security against attacks by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi militants under the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement signed between Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, the source said, and to tell counterparts Turkey has been working to stop the war in Ukraine spreading to the Black Sea.
What is solid
- Turkey will host ministers from Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Britain, France and Germany in Istanbul on Friday, according to a Turkish diplomatic source quoted by Reuters.
- The seven-country format is meeting for the first time, at Turkey's initiative.
What is only claimed
- No agenda document has been published, so the expected discussion points rest on the diplomatic source's account reported by Reuters.