Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan meet in Cairo to discuss Middle East crisis ahead of Swiss talks

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelaty convened in Cairo on Sunday with his counterparts from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey for crucial coordination meetings. The discussions centered on the volatile situation in the Middle East, with specific attention to Gaza, Sudan, Libya, developments concerning Iran, and the Horn of Africa. These talks precede the significant negotiations between Iran and the United States scheduled to take place in Switzerland.

During bilateral meetings before the quadrilateral session, Abdelaty engaged with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakán Fidan. According to a statement from the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, the ministers exchanged views on regional matters and emphasized the importance of maintaining joint coordination and consultation. Their goal is to bolster security and stability in the region and strengthen efforts to resolve ongoing crises.

The quartet of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan played a pivotal role in mediating the conflict between the US and Iran, which began in late February. This diplomatic initiative also involved mediation from Qatar. The foreign ministers of these four nations have convened three times since the conflict's inception. Pakistan, in particular, has been directly involved in contacts between Washington and Tehran.

These efforts have led to a memorandum of understanding signed this week by the US and Iran, initiating a 60-day truce period. This truce is intended to pave the way for a final agreement to end the war. The participating nations highlighted the importance of leveraging this progress to reduce tensions and enhance regional security and stability.