Turkish State Minister Zafer Caglayan said that they targeted to set up a free trade zone among Turkey, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan which had 182 billion USD of import and 125 billion USD of export capacity as well as 103 million population.

Releasing a statement, Caglayan said on Thursday that this project would open a new page in commercial and investment relations of these countries as well as it would further integrate their economies.

Foreign ministers of Turkey, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon decided in a meeting on June 10, 2010 to set up "high-level quartet cooperation council" to strengthen the existing cooperation, develop long-term strategic partnership and solidarity, and further improve the economic integration. They also decided to establish a zone among the four countries where there is free movement of products and people.

As a continuation of this process, a quartet meeting will take place in Istanbul on July 31, which will be hosted by Caglayan, and participated by Syrian economy minister, Jordanian industry minister and Lebanese economy minister.
 

AA