The Northern Secretary, Dr John Reid, has denied that the forthcoming UK general election has put the peace process on hold.
While it was less likely that the parties would be taking "big steps forward" in the face of speculation of an impending election, "steady progress" was being made in "all four absolutely crucial areas" of disagreement, Dr Reid told the BBC's On the Record programme.
The Northern Secretary said that all the important factors, such as the devolved Assembly, new policing service, normalisation of security provisions and decommissioning were in place or about to be put in place.
Welcoming the fact that Gen de Chastelain's decommissioning body confirmed during the week that the IRA had re-engaged with it, Dr Reid said the British government's mind was firmly on June as the target date for decommissioning.
Mr David Trimble, the UUP leader, will be heading a party delegation meeting Gen de Chastelain this morning.
The UUP has decided not to field a candidate in Mid-Ulster, making the seat a contest between Sinn Fein's Mr Martin McGuinness, the SDLP's Ms Ailish Haughey and the DUP's Mr Ian McCrea.