Statement by Foreign Minister Wadephul prior to his departure for Istanbul

Before departing for Istanbul to attend the meeting of the E4 (Germany, France, UK, Italy) and the R4 (Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey) foreign ministers, Foreign Minister Wadephul issued the following statement today (23 October 2026): The conflict concerning the Strait of Hormuz, the Houthi attacks in Yemen, in Saudi Arabia and on freedom of navigation but also the impact of the increasing escalation of Russian attacks on grain shipments in the Black Sea are massive challenges that we can only tackle if we go beyond established formats and pull in the same direction. That is why I am meeting our partners from France, the UK, Italy, as well as Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey in Istanbul today at the initiative of Germany and Turkey. We are united by the massive impact that these deadlocked conflicts are having on the economy and security of our countries – and by the will to seek new ways to bring about solutions. We, eight countries standing together, are sending a message: We do not accept that Iran and the Houthi militia are blackmailing world trade and continuing to stranglehold global supplies of energy and fertiliser. The wanton attacks on freedom of n...