Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 98: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if relations have improved between the EU and Syria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41872/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Syria is a key actor in the Middle East region and has increasingly demonstrated a willingness to play a more positive role in the peace process. This was certainly the strong impression I formed when visiting Syria last February where I met with President Assad, Prime Minister Al-Dardari and Foreign Minister Muallem. In my meetings, I encouraged President Assad and his government to use any influence they have on Hamas to encourage them to support and participate in the political process aimed at achieving an agreed two-State solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Syria's desire to play a more constructive role within the region is also evident from its improving relations with Lebanon as well as with other key regional or international players, such as Saudi Arabia, the US and France. Only last month, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia made a very well publicised and successful visit to Damascus while President Assad met with President Sarkozy when visiting Paris on 13 November. The EU's High Representative, Javier Solana, also visited Damascus last August where he met with President Assad and Foreign Minister Muallem and confirmed that EU-Syrian relations are moving in the right direction.

Against this backdrop, I very much welcome the recent progress towards signature of the EU-Syria Association Agreement. Long-running negotiations going back to 2004 have recently reached a successful conclusion and it is to be hoped that the Agreement will be formally signed by both parties soon, most likely early next year. The signing of this Agreement will mark a substantive step forward in the strengthening of EU-Syria relations.

I confirmed Ireland's strong support for the signing of the EU-Syria Association Agreement when I met with the Syrian Ambassador to Ireland last month. We also discussed ways to enhance Irish-Syrian bilateral relations, particularly in the economic arena. I told the Ambassador that Syria is well placed to play a constructive role in the Middle East Peace Process and that we looked forward to developing our relationship at a bilateral level and in an EU context.