Fidan to host ministers from six countries in Istanbul for regional conflict talks
Turkey has initiated a seven-country meeting on Friday to discuss regional conflicts, shipping security and cooperation between regional and European countries, a diplomatic source said.
Istanbul, Turkey. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will convene talks on Friday with foreign ministers representing Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Britain, France and Germany, a Turkish diplomatic source said on Thursday. The source said Turkey had initiated the gathering, the first involving these seven countries in this format, amid threats to shipping and regional security from wars involving Iran, Yemen and Ukraine.
Conflicts and cooperation on the agenda
According to the source, the planned discussions will cover the Israeli-Palestinian issue, current conditions in the Strait of Hormuz, developments concerning Yemen and diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine war. Ministers will also consider ways to strengthen cooperation between countries in the region and Europe.
Navigation and Saudi security
The source said Fidan was expected to stress that diplomacy was needed to resolve the United States-Iran war and to underline the importance of keeping navigation free through both the Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb straits.
He was also expected to reaffirm Turkey’s backing for Saudi Arabia’s security against attacks from Yemen’s Houthi militants, who are supported by Iran, the source said. That support falls under the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, signed by Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
Black Sea risks
Fidan will tell the other ministers that Turkey has sought to prevent the Ukraine war from extending into the Black Sea, according to the source. He will highlight the risks the conflict presents to security across the region.
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