AN agreement between the Royal Black Institution and nationalist residents about a march this weekend in Bellaghy, Co Derry, sets an example for other areas in the North, both sides have said.
Nationalists in six other districts are opposing institution [marches due to take place on Saturday.
The accommodation in Bellaghy was reached after three meetings over the past fortnight aimed at preventing a repeat of events earlier this month when there was a 15 hour standoff between marchers and residents.
Saturday's parade will follow an agreed route with a local band playing only hymns. The Institution banner, but no flags, will be carried.
The Blackmen will march from the Orange Hall in William Street to the Presbyterian Church on the Castledawson Road. Bellaghy Residents Group has agreed not to stage a counter demonstration.
"This is a very good starting point for the building of community relations," said an Institution spokesman, Mr John Gilmour. "There is absolutely no reason why the two communities can't exist and still hold on to their own political and religious identity.
"Hopefully, what happened in Bellaghy will serve as an example elsewhere in Northern Ireland. There is no point in two groups sitting on either side of the fence and shouting over it. They must sit down together sensibly, as we did, and discuss things.
"If everyone acts reasonably, there is no reason why there can't be a similar successful outcome in other places."
Mr Paul Henry of Bellaghy Residents' Group said everyone [was pleased with the outcome of the talks. "It just goes to show what can happen when dialogue takes place," he said. "You don't know anyone until you sit down face to face."
The residents' group has agreed to help the Institution remove sectarian graffiti in Bellaghy, a mainly Catholic village. Mr Henry called on the RUC not to take a heavy handed approach, with residents on Saturday.
He urged the Institution to talk to nationalists in other areas where controversial parades are planned. The Blackmen and residents in Bellaghy will start talks in the autumn about next year's marches.
Other controversial Royal Black Institution marches are due in the lower Ormeau in Belfast; Dunloy, Co Antrim; Newry, Co Down; and Strabane, Pomeroy and Cookstown, Co Tyrone.
Nationalists in Newry are threatening to stage protests at marches in the town on Friday and Saturday. A Newry Residents' Coalition spokesman said the Black Institution had not replied to its offer of negotiations.
Residents of Pomeroy are threatening to stage a protest if a Black Institution march along the town's Main Street goes ahead. The Blackmen had voluntarily rerouted their march and halved its length, but residents said it was still unacceptable.
. An Armagh residents' group wants talks with leaders of the Royal Black Institution in the city about Saturday's parade. Traditionally 12 preceptories parade twice through the mainly nationalist Shambles/Banbrook area.
In Keady, Co Armagh, plans for a parade through the town centre are understood to have been scrapped.