Syria

EDM number 1000 in 2006-07, proposed by John Grogan on 27/02/2007.

That this House welcomes the recommendation made by the Iraq Study Group that an Iraq International Support Group should be formed which would actively enter into diplomatic dialogue with Syria; believes that it is only by engaging with Syria that President al-Assad and his administration may be encouraged to play a more positive role in Iraq and the rest of the Middle East; notes the Prime Minister's assertion that there are some signs that Syria is prepared to help in this regard; further notes President al-Assad's open offer of unconditional talks with Israel; considers the recent summit held between Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and President al-Assad as a timely reminder of the value of diplomacy as the previously estranged countries of Iraq and Syria `stressed their determination to work jointly and do everything that would fight and uproot terror'; recognises that before Syria can contribute fully to securing peace and stability in the region it must co-operate completely with the investigations into the assassinations of public figures within Lebanon and cease any support of facilitation networks; but nevertheless urges the Government to make the first positive steps in engaging with President al-Assad and his administration at a Ministerial level.

This motion has been signed by a total of 71 MPs, 2 of these signatures have been withdrawn.