ISTANBUL – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister (DPM/FM) Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar has arrived in Istanbul, Turkiye to participate in the R4 and the R4 Plus Ministerial meetings.
France, Germany, Italy, and United Kingdom are also member of R4 Plus.
Upon arrival, he was received by Ambassador Cihad Erginay, Director General at the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan’s Chargé d’Affaires Shaiq Ahmed,
Pakistan’s Consul General in Istanbul Khawaja Khurram Naeem, Additional Secretary Ambassador Khalil Hashmi, and officers of the Embassy of Pakistan in Ankara and the Consulate General of Pakistan in Istanbul.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 arrived in Istanbul, Türkiye, to participate in the R4 as well as the R4+ France, Germany, Italy, and UK Ministerial Meeting.
He was received by Ambassador Cihad Erginay, Director General at the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Pakistan’s Chargé d’Affaires, Shaiq Ahmed;
Pakistan’s Consul General in Istanbul Khawaja Khurram Naeem; Additional Secretary, Ambassador Khalil Hashmi; and officers of the Embassy of Pakistan in Ankara and the Consulate General of Pakistan in Istanbul.During his one-day official visit, the DPM/FM will participate in meetings in the R4 and R4+ France, Germany, Italy, and UK, call on President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts.
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) October 23, 2026
During his one-day official visit, the Deputy Prime Minister will participate in meetings in the R4 and R4+ France, Germany, Italy, and UK ministerial meeting, and also call on President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts.
Foreign ministers from seven countries are set to hold talks in Istanbul to discuss regional conflicts, maritime security and diplomatic efforts to promote peace and stability.
The meeting will be followed by an R4+E3 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting involving Türkiye, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, the United Kingdom, France and Germany. It will be the first time the seven countries have convened in this format, at Türkiye’s initiative.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will host the participating ministers for discussions on major international and regional challenges, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, developments in Yemen and efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war.
The talks will also explore opportunities to strengthen cooperation between regional states and European countries amid growing security concerns affecting maritime trade and regional stability.
Fidan is expected to stress the need for a diplomatic settlement to the conflict between the United States and Iran. He will also highlight the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation through the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab.
The Turkish foreign minister is further expected to reaffirm Ankara’s support for Saudi Arabia’s security in the face of attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement, referring to the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement signed by Türkiye, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
The discussions are also likely to address Türkiye’s efforts to prevent the Russia-Ukraine conflict from spreading into the Black Sea, with particular attention to the wider security implications for the region.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will participate in the meetings and is expected to hold separate bilateral discussions with his counterparts. He will also call on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Pakistan’s participation reflects Islamabad’s emphasis on constructive diplomacy, regional partnerships and peaceful resolution of disputes through dialogue.
The meetings are expected to provide a platform for coordinated diplomatic engagement on shared security challenges and efforts to strengthen regional peace and stability.
