Sky News Uk (Tuesday 17th June 2008) said: 'Madeleine McCanns' parents remain "confident" of winning vital support for a Europe-wide child abduction alert after a day of lobbying MEPs in Strasbourg.'Gerry and Kate McCann need the signatures of 393 members - that is more than half the total number - by July 24 to see a written declaration of the cross-border system published and sent to the European President.
A signed declaration carries no legal weight, but suggests a political will to see such a scheme implemented.
The McCanns launched their drive for the US-style Amber Alert in Brussels in April, but travelled to Strasbourg needing another 182 members' signatures. That number was cut by a modest 15 to 167 by the end of a day-long visit, which left the couple "surprised" at a lack of awareness among MEPs of their high-profile campaign. But in a series of meetings held throughout the day unsigned members vowed to add their names, and persuade colleagues to join them, before next month's deadline.
Addressing a press conference with a statement on behalf of the couple, Mrs McCann said the visit had been "extremely useful".