Istanbul (dpa, d.de) – The German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul travelled to Istanbul to meet with his counterparts from seven European and regional partner states to discuss the security situation on international sea routes as well as options for mitigating regional conflicts. The situation in the Strait of Hormuz, the attacks carried out by the Houthi militia in the Red Sea, and Russia’s attacks on grain ships in the Black Sea are the top items of the meeting’s agenda. “We can only master these massive challenges by pulling in the same direction and going beyond the established formats,” said Wadephul at the start of the meeting.
Secure sea routes are essential for international trading and ensuring adequate energy, food and fertiliser supplies. About a fifth of the total amount of oil used worldwide is normally shipped through the Strait of Hormuz. Attacks on trade vessels and blocked transport routes can lead to price increases around the world and put security of supply at risk, especially in countries that rely on imports.
New diplomatic initiative
It is the first meeting in this constellation. The meeting is attended by Germany, France, the United Kingdom and Italy, as well as by Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. The four regional partners form the so-called R4 Group. The talks were initiated by Germany and Turkey, aiming to find new forms of diplomatic cooperation and to jointly contribute to a mitigation of current conflicts.
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