Turkey hosts first R4+E3 foreign ministers summit on Middle East and Ukraine
Turkey will convene foreign ministers from Britain, France, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Egypt and its own in Istanbul to discuss regional disputes and the Russia-Ukraine war.
In Istanbul on Friday, foreign ministers from Britain, France, Germany, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Egypt will gather under the R4+E3 format, a Turkish-led initiative that unites the long-standing European trio with the recently formed quartet of Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Egypt. Hosted by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, the talks will cover the Palestinian issue, developments in Yemen, and the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb for global shipping.
Participants will also discuss diplomatic steps to halt the Russia-Ukraine conflict and prevent its spread to the Black Sea. Fidan is expected to call for increased international pressure on Israel regarding settlement growth and alleged support for settler violence, while reaffirming support for Saudi Arabia’s security against Houthi attacks. The summit marks the first joint session of the E3 and R4 groups since the latter’s creation earlier this year.
Why it matters
The summit could shape coordinated diplomatic actions on several volatile Middle-East issues and the Ukraine war.
How the sides frame it
HIGH AGREEMENTAll camps report the same summit details, but left and center coverage stress the Turkish diplomatic initiative and regional security concerns, while right-leaning coverage adds a focus on regional actors taking ownership of security and preventing new crises.
LEFT
Frames the summit as a Turkish-led diplomatic effort tackling regional flashpoints and urging pressure on Israel over settlements.
CENTER
Frames the summit as the first joint meeting of regional and European foreign ministers to discuss regional conflicts and threats to shipping routes.
RIGHT
Frames the summit as a venue for regional actors to assume security ownership and avert the spread of existing conflicts.
The left emphasises
- Turkish-led initiative uniting R4 and E3 countries
- Fidan expected to call for increased pressure on Israel regarding settlements
- Agenda includes Palestine, Yemen, and the Strait of Hormuz
The right emphasises
- Need for direct regional actors to take ownership of security
- Warning that existing conflicts could spark new crises
- Aim to tighten coordination between the two diplomatic groups
How this story developed
- Oct 19 Macron heads to Gulf states to secure oil supplies amid French fuel-price unrest
- Oct 19 Saudi Arabia may postpone the Future Investment Initiative conference after Wall Street executives voiced safety concerns, with a decision expected by Monday.
- Oct 19 The visit is scheduled for Monday through Wednesday and adds meetings with officials from Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar.
- Oct 20 The kingdom announced it has scrapped plans to host the Future Investment Initiative on Oct. 26.
- Oct 21 The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain are expected to contribute about 100,000 tonnes of diesel to the French supply plan.
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