Turkey to host regional, European FMs for conflict talks

Turkey will host foreign ministers from Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Britain, France and Germany in Istanbul on Friday to discuss regional conflicts, maritime security and diplomatic efforts to end ongoing wars, a Turkish diplomatic source said on Thursday (October 22).

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will lead the meeting, which is being convened at Ankara’s initiative for the first time in this seven-country format, as conflicts involving Iran, Yemen and Ukraine threaten shipping routes and regional stability.

The ministers are expected to discuss the Israeli-Palestinian issue, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, developments in Yemen, efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war and ways to strengthen cooperation between regional and European countries.

Fidan is expected to call for a diplomatic solution to the war between the United States and Iran and stress the importance of freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb.

He is also expected to reaffirm Turkey’s support for Saudi Arabia’s security against attacks by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militants under the Mecca Defence Alliance agreement signed by Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

The Turkish foreign minister will also highlight Ankara’s efforts to prevent the Ukraine war from spreading to the Black Sea, citing the wider security risks posed by the conflict, the source said.