CAIRO (special crosspondent) – Foreign Ministers from Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye convened in Cairo on June 21, 2026, following an invitation from the Arab Republic of Egypt. The ministers expressed their profound gratitude to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi for articulating his vision for the region’s future, which served as a guiding principle for the group’s endeavours to foster stability in the Middle East. The gathering facilitated a comprehensive exchange of perspectives on prevailing regional and international developments. It underscored the critical importance of sustained consultation and coordinated action among the four nations to champion peace, security, stability, and prosperity across the Middle East and the wider region.

Regarding recent regional events, the Ministers specifically lauded the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran on June 18, 2026. They acknowledged this significant development as a pivotal step towards de-escalation and the cessation of a conflict that posed considerable risks to regional security and stability, impacting energy markets, international maritime routes, global supply chains, and international trade. In this context, the Ministers commended the concerted efforts by regional and international stakeholders that facilitated this understanding and stressed the imperative of the faithful implementation of commitments by the involved parties.

The Ministers paid tribute to the indispensable role played by the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in achieving this historic outcome, complemented by the supportive contributions of the State of Qatar in bringing the negotiations on the MoU to a successful conclusion. They also acknowledged Pakistan’s ongoing and close coordination with them on this crucial matter.

Building upon this positive trajectory, particular emphasis was placed on the necessity of swiftly and successfully concluding the subsequent negotiation phase, which aims to establish a durable, verifiable, and mutually agreeable resolution to the remaining issues. The Ministers stressed that such initiatives must consider the concerns of regional countries, especially concerning the security and stability of the Gulf Arab States and the Levant region, with the objective of enhancing collective security and promoting enduring regional stability.

Reaffirming the pivotal status of the Palestinian cause in achieving peace, security, and stability in the Middle East, the Ministers underscored that it remains central to efforts for a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in the region, serving as a cornerstone for establishing a stable and secure regional order. In this regard, significant attention was directed towards the humanitarian and political circumstances in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem under occupation. The Ministers reiterated their unwavering support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent Palestinian State along the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, viewing this as an essential prerequisite for realizing a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in accordance with relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions.