Northern Ireland Secretary Dr John Reid is urging unionists to shed fears that a united Ireland will definitely emerge from the peace process.
In the latest stage of a major campaign to reassure Protestants, Dr Reid described the North as a valued part of the UK.
Pointing out the insecurity currently plaguing unionism, he insisted there was no inevitability about a united Ireland.
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Dr John Reid
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Amid concern about waning unionist support for the Belfast Agreement, the D Reid accepted some in that community felt short-changed.
"I am aware of the perception that on balance there has been more taken away from unionists and from those who feel British and given to those who are of a nationalist background," he told the BBC.
He also pointed out that even though unionists still form a majority in Northern Ireland, it was wrong to assume they could not feel under threat. "It is, and I think there is an insecurity there," he said.
But in a move which will hearten Ulster Unionist leader Mr David Trimble as he prepares for a crucial meeting of his party members in Belfast, Dr Reid added: "We have no intention of expunging Britishness. We value Northern Ireland being part of the United Kingdom. There is no question about that."
His comments were the latest stage in a concerted campaign started last October when he warned that Northern Ireland could become a "cold place for unionists".
Dr Reid insisted the August 1998 Belfast Agreement had secured majority consent on the constitutional question. "We value the unionists, we have no intention, any more than we want to isolate those from an Irish or Catholic background, of allowing their culture to be expunged or to be obliterated," he said.
"It is a difficult historic compromise to make, but we have recognised the role of unionism and the role of Northern Ireland in the United Kingdom."
PA