Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, Egypt call for lasting US-Iran settlement

The Fourth Consultative Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, held in Cairo on Sunday, welcomed, in particular, the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the United States of America and Iran on June 18.

They viewed this important development as a constructive step towards de-escalation and towards ending a conflict which posed significant risks to regional security and stability, as well as to energy markets, international maritime routes, global supply chains, and international trade, a joint statement said.

Building on this positive momentum, particular emphasis was placed on the importance of achieving a swift and successful conclusion to the subsequent phase of negotiations, which aimed to reach a lasting, verifiable, and mutually acceptable solution to the remaining issues.

At the invitation of the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Foreign Ministers of Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye convened in Cairo, the Foreign Office Spokesperson said in a press release.

The ministers expressed their deep appreciation to President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi for sharing his vision of the region’s future as a guidance to the group’s efforts aiming at bringing stability to the Middle East.

The meeting provided an opportunity for a thorough exchange of views on regional and international developments.

“It reaffirmed the importance of continued consultation and coordination among the four countries in support of peace, security, stability, and prosperity in the Middle East and the broader region,” the statement said.

In this context, the ministers commended the efforts undertaken by regional and international actors that contributed to facilitating the understanding and emphasised the importance of the faithful implementation of the commitments undertaken by the parties concerned.

“The ministers lauded the instrumental efforts of Pakistan in reaching this historic outcome, along with the support extended by the State of Qatar to bring about a successful conclusion to the negotiations on the MoU. The ministers also commended the continued and close coordination of Pakistan with them on this important issue,” it was added.

The ministers emphasised that such efforts should take into account the concerns of countries of the region, particularly with regard to the security and stability of the Gulf Arab States, as well as the Levant region, with a view to strengthening collective security and promoting long-term regional stability.

Reaffirming the centrality of the Palestinian cause to the achievement of peace, security, and stability in the Middle East, the ministers underscored that the Palestinian cause remained at the heart of efforts to achieve a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in the region and constitutes a central pillar for the realisation of a stable and secure regional order.

In this regard, particular attention was devoted to the humanitarian and political situation in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem under occupation.

The ministers reiterated their support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent Palestinian State on the basis of the 4 June 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital, as an indispensable foundation for achieving a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in the region in accordance with the relevant United Nations’ Security Council Resolutions.