Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the initiative to host a conference in Moscow of representatives of the Syrian regime and opposition for talks to find a political solution to the crisis in Syria; and if he will make a statement.

The UK continues to believe that a negotiated political transition in Syria is the only way to end the conflict and alleviate Syria’s humanitarian crisis. The UN is best placed to facilitate any talks between the regime and the opposition designed to help bring about a political settlement. The UK supports the efforts of UN Special Envoy, Staffan de Mistura, to reduce the bloodshed and encourage political progress. We regularly discuss Syria with Russian counterparts, including how we can work to bring about a political resolution of the conflict, and will continue to do so.