German Foreign Minister Johann Wadefol announced an agreement to hold periodic meetings for the foreign ministers of the "E4" group, comprising Germany, France, Britain, and Italy, and the "R4" group, comprising Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, with Germany hosting the next meeting.
Wadefol stated in press comments that the "E4-R4" meetings held in Istanbul on Friday were "more productive than expected," and that the eight countries agreed to participate in the upcoming meeting in Germany. He clarified that preparations for the meeting will begin soon, emphasizing the importance of coordination among the eight countries and developing common positions.
He added: "We have noticed here that the situation requires coordination and consensus, and the voice of these eight countries, because when we say: enough, we are speaking here with one voice." The German Foreign Minister stressed the importance of coordinating positions among the eight countries, noting that Iranian and Houthi attacks on international shipping are putting pressure on the global economy, and calling for intensified diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation.
He added that "this conflict cannot be solved militarily," calling on all parties to return to the negotiating table. Regarding Iran's nuclear negotiations, Wadefol called on Tehran to show serious willingness to reach a diplomatic solution and return to negotiations, affirming Germany's, France's, and Britain's readiness to negotiate an agreement preventing Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
The European call comes at a time when indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States are stalling, despite ongoing Qatari mediation. Disagreements still center on Iran's nuclear program and the sequence of confidence-building steps and lifting sanctions, while the West demands the return of International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors and verification of Iran's nuclear stockpiles.
In September 2025, international sanctions related to the nuclear file were reimposed on Iran after Britain, France, and Germany activated the "snapback" mechanism. As for grain shipments through the Black Sea, Wadefol called for finding ways to resume Russian and Ukrainian grain shipments, given the impact of the ongoing war between the two countries on global food security.
He pointed to the diplomatic efforts being made by Turkey in this regard, explaining that Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is conducting intensive negotiations with the Russian and Ukrainian sides. By a ceremony held in Istanbul on July 22, 2022, the United Nations, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine signed the Black Sea Grain Initiative agreement aimed at limiting the impact of the Russian-Ukrainian war on global food prices.
Source: Anadolu Agency
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