This declaration was made by Turkish Foreign Affairs Minister, Ahmad Daoud Oglo, at the sidelines of the Arab-Turkey forum in Istanbul, and in the presence of foreign ministers representing the three Arab states.

"The agreement aims to establish a free zone for the transfer of goods and people between those four countries," Oglo said. 

"The agreement has derived from the crucial need to enhance the common political geographical and cultural heritage that the four states share. It aims to strengthen ties between the four states in the road for economic integration,” the declaration said.

Turkey has already abolished visa entry requirements with Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon, and has signed free trade agreements with Syria and Jordan, and is currently  "in talks with Lebanon to sign a similar FTA agreement to be able to push ahead with the plans,” Oglo said.

“This quadripartite Council is open to all neighboring countries who would like to join. It will not replace the bilateral cooperation between countries,” said the declaration. “Meetings will be held to starting next week to facilitate procedures for establishment of the council,” Oglo said.

Ministers of energy, trade, agriculture, health, water, environment, transport and other concerned areas, would convene in one council meeting per year to discuss cooperation and develop action plans to implement this declaration, said Oglo. 

The Secretary-General of the Arab League, Amr Moussa, congratulated the four states on the agreement. “This step has our full support. Other countries are also invited to participate,” he said.