The US Special Envoy to the North has said the current problems in the peace process do not represent a crisis and people should not lose sight of the progress made to date.
Richard Haass said that tremendous progress had been made not just in recent years but recent months also.
Mr Haass added that while the parties had not reached closure, there was no reason for people to be discouraged.
He said he come to Northern Ireland hopeful and had heard or seen nothing in his brief time here to change that.
The US envoy has met with unionists since his arrival in the North last night.
He is due to meet with nationalist parties, including the SDLP and Sinn Féin this afternoon, before meeting Irish Government officials tomorrow.
