A ministerial meeting in R4 format took place in Istanbul on October 23, 2026, with the participation of representatives from France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom. Following the negotiations, the parties published a joint statement for the press, reporting on consultations on current issues of bilateral and multilateral cooperation. The R4 meeting format, bringing together leading European countries, is used to coordinate positions on a wide range of international issues, including security, economic interaction, and regional stability. The choice of Istanbul as the venue for negotiations underscores Turkey's role as a bridge between Europe and other regions. The details of the negotiations and agreements reached are not disclosed in detail in the joint statement; however, the fact that the meeting took place testifies to the ongoing dialogue between European powers on current issues of the international agenda. Foreign ministers and other high-ranking representatives of the participating countries traditionally use such meetings to discuss common positions ahead of major international summits and forums. It is expected that the results of the Istanbul meeting will be taken into account in further diplomatic work and may influence the formation of joint initiatives by the participating states in the near future.