Turkey aims to create a free trade zone without visa restrictions with Syria, Lebanon and Jordan, the country’s Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has announced at a Turkish-Arab Forum.

Turkey has boosted relations with its Muslim neighbours in recent years, raising concerns among the EU candidate’s traditional allies, including the US, that its loyalties are drifting eastwards.

“We want a vehicle to leave from Turkey and reach Morocco without stopping at any border gates,” said Davutoglu.