Talks between Sinn Fein and the British government are to resume this week, according to the party's vice-president, Mr Pat Doherty.
The West Tyrone assembly member, said talks would take place "in the next few days". He said they hoped for "positive movements around the issues of demilitarisation, policing and allowing the political institution to move forward in the agreed way outlined in May last year."
"We have kept in constant dialogue over the Christmas period with the White House and the Irish Government. This will, of course, continue," he said.
The talks were suspended before Christmas after senior Sinn Fein spokesman, Mr Gerry Kelly, claimed the British government were stalling on the issues of demilitarisation and reform of the RUC.
However, Mr Doherty said for the latest round of talks to succeed, Britain must show more flexibility than it had done in the discussions before Christmas.
"We have a renewed opportunity and we hope that the British respond to that," he said.
Mr Doherty also raised the issue of UUP ban on Sinn Fein ministers attending North-South Ministerial Council meetings, saying they showed that Northern Ireland First Minister David Trimble was in breach of the Belfast Agreement
PA