Northern Ireland's political parties were warned by British secretary of state Peter Hain tonight the clock was ticking and not to let a minor glitch turn into a deal-breaking crisis.
He said if they did create a crisis, the Stormont Assembly would be dissolved on November 24.
Progress on the St Andrews Agreement reached in Scotland 10 days ago has stalled over a dispute between the Rev Ian Paisley's Democratic Unionists and Sinn Féin.
Peter Hain
Mr Hain described the postponement of a historic first face-to-face meeting last week between Mr Paisley and Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams as a glitch.
Today he insisted he was not concerned the hiccup was becoming a crisis and he remained "cautiously optimistic" the agreement would stand.
Mr Hain said: "I am not worried, the parties know they have to tell us by the 10th of November that they are ready to sign up to the St Andrews Agreement."
He added: "Everybody knows the timetable, everybody knows the clock is ticking and counting down.
"Everybody knows that if, somehow, this goes off track and a glitch becomes a crisis, then we will dissolve the Assembly after November 24th.
"I still remain cautiously optimistic that the remaining obstacles can be overcome and can be solved."
The twin pillars of the agreement, he said, remained Sinn Féin agreeing to support the police service and law and order and the DUP agreeing to share power in government with Sinn Féin.
First face-to-face talks between Mr Paisley and Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams to prepare for government were postponed in a dispute over the sequencing of commitments by November 10.
Mr Hain revealed that he and the parties would be going to London on November 1 to see the British Chancellor to discuss a finance package as part of the St Andrews Agreement.
It was reported over the weekend the Government would be providing hundreds of millions of pounds for infrastructure improvements as part of its side of the bargain.
Mr Hain declined to comment on an amount, but said: "The Irish Government has made clear it will play its part."
He spoke out while attending a meeting of the British Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body which was held in Belfast for the first time.
The 68-member body, holding its 33rd meeting, was being briefed on and discussing the St Andrews Agreement during a two-day meeting at the Waterfront Hall.
PA