Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is hosting the R4+R3 meeting, according to various media outlets citing Turkish Foreign Ministry sources.
The R4 ministers are also holding a separate meeting, according to Turkish diplomatic sources cited by outlets including Daily Sabah, Türkiye Today, Anadolu Agency and Hürriyet Daily News.
Attending the meeting are German Foreign Minister Johann David Wadephul, British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Turkish media reported.
According to diplomatic sources, discussions are expected to focus on the Palestinian issue, developments in Yemen, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and freedom of navigation through key waterways including the Bab el Mandeb, as well as efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war.
The ministers will also discuss ways to strengthen cooperation and coordination between the two groups, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said.
Sources said Fidan is expected to emphasize “regional ownership,” arguing that countries in the region should take primary responsibility for their own security and prevent existing disputes from escalating into further conflicts.
Fidan is also expected to call for greater international pressure on Israel over settlement expansion and settler violence, reaffirm support for Saudi Arabia’s security against Houthi attacks under the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, and stress the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el Mandeb.
The R4 group was established earlier this year to promote regional responsibility for security and long-term stability.
Britain, France and Germany have worked together through the E3 framework for more than two decades to coordinate their positions on diplomatic issues.
Turkish media described Friday’s gathering as the first time the seven countries have met in the combined R4+E3 format.
Islamabad-based diplomatic sources described the talks as a significant development amid recent defense initiatives, including the Badr Memorandum signed Wednesday by Turkey, Qatar, Pakistan and Indonesia to expand cooperation on defense production and training, as well as progress under the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
These developments also reflect efforts to strengthen defense cooperation amid regional tensions, with Pakistan emerging as a key link between participating countries.
Indonesia’s involvement has also raised concerns in India, despite New Delhi’s strong economic ties with Jakarta.
