Turkey Hosts 'Heptalateral' Ministerial Meeting Today to Discuss Regional Conflicts

Istanbul – Agencies: A Turkish diplomatic source announced yesterday that Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will host his counterparts from Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Britain, France, and Germany in Istanbul today to hold talks on regional conflicts. The source noted that the seven countries will meet in this format for the first time, at Turkey’s initiative, amid wars in Iran, Yemen, and Ukraine that threaten shipping routes and regional security. The source expected the ministers to discuss the Palestinian issue, the latest developments in the Strait of Hormuz, developments related to Yemen, efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war, and opportunities to enhance cooperation between regional countries and European nations. According to the source, Fidan is expected to stress the need to reach a diplomatic solution to the conflict between the United States and Iran, and the importance of freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandab, while reaffirming Turkey’s support for Saudi security in the face of attacks by the Iran-aligned Houthi group in Yemen, under the Mecca Agreement for Joint Defense signed between Turkey, Pakistan, and the Kingdom. The source added that Fidan will also inform his counterparts that Ankara is working to prevent the war in Ukraine from spreading to the Black Sea, and that he will highlight the regional security risks posed by the conflict.