Foreign ministers from Quartet and Europe discuss regional, global issues in Istanbul

Foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, and Pakistan—the Quartet—along with their counterparts from France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom, met in Istanbul yesterday.

The ministers discussed major regional and international issues, including the US-Israel-Iran conflict, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the need for a two-state solution through negotiations, the recent attacks by Houthi militias on Saudi Arabia and Yemen's government, maritime security and freedom of navigation, and rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, Bab al-Mandab, and the Black Sea. They reaffirmed their commitment to supporting diplomatic efforts aimed at promoting peace and stability in the region and beyond, and to addressing the security, economic, and trade implications of these challenges.

The ministers agreed on the urgent need to resolve regional disputes through dialogue, diplomacy, and de-escalation, stressing the importance of sustainable negotiated solutions to all outstanding conflicts, based on relevant United Nations resolutions.

They also agreed to continue dialogue to prevent conflicts and promote peace and stability in the region.