Pakistan and other countries have called for dialogue, diplomacy and de-escalation to resolve regional conflicts, reaffirming their commitment to efforts aimed at promoting peace and stability, according to a joint statement issued by the Foreign Office (FO) on Saturday.

The foreign ministers of Turkiye, Egypt, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia (R4), along with their counterparts from France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom, met in Istanbul on Oct 23.

“The ministers discussed various issues of regional and international importance, namely the US-Israel-Iran conflict, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the need for a negotiated two-state solution, the appalling Houthi militia attacks against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of Yemen, safety and freedom of navigation, escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb and the Black Sea,” the Joint statement said.

“They expressed their commitment to continue contributing towards diplomatic efforts aimed at promoting peace and stability in the region and beyond, and addressing the security, economic and trade implications of these issues,” it added.

The ministers agreed on the “urgent need” to address regional conflicts through dialogue, diplomacy and de-escalation. In accordance with the relevant UN resolutions, they emphasised the need to find lasting, negotiated solutions to all outstanding conflicts.

“The ministers agreed to continue the dialogue in this format with a view to preventing conflicts and advancing peace and stability in the region,” the statement concludes.

The R4 group, comprising Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, emerged in March and has been focusing on regional security and mediation efforts between the United States and Iran.

A day earlier, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar attended the sixth R4 foreign ministers’ meeting with his Turkish, Egyptian and Saudi counterparts, where they reviewed developments in the Middle East and discussed regional security challenges and conflicts.