Turkey’s foreign minister will host his counterparts from six countries in Istanbul on Friday for talks on regional crises.

A Turkish diplomatic source told Reuters that Hakan Fidan will meet with the foreign ministers of Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, France and Germany.

According to the source, seven countries will come together for the first time in this format at Turkey’s initiative.

the agenda of the meeting includes the issue of Israel and Palestine, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, developments in Yemen, efforts to end the war between Russia and Ukraine, and closer cooperation between countries in the region and Europe.

The source added that Fidan will stress the need for a diplomatic solution to the war between the United States and the Islamic Republic and the importance of freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb.

Fidan also repeats Turkey’s support for Saudi Arabia’s security against attacks by the Houthis within the framework of the joint defense agreement of Mecca.

The Mecca joint defense agreement was signed by Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in August.

Turkey sent the agreement to parliament on Tuesday for ratification, and a representative of the ruling party said on Wednesday that the government will present to parliament the authorization to dispatch military forces to Saudi Arabia.