Northern Ireland's Alliance Party tonight signalled it would contest European Parliament elections in June.
Leader Mr David Ford confirmed his party's plans following the decision of Democratic Unionists leader Rev Ian Paisley and former nationalist SDLP leader Mr John Hume to stand down from the European Parliament this summer.
It is understood Alliance Party president Mr Colm Kavanagh has already indicated his willingness to stand for the party.
However, an election meeting is unlikely to take place until early May.
Mr Ford said: "With the retirement of the two MEPs who represented Northern Ireland since the first direct election in 1979, I believe that the election in June is now completely open.
At November's Assembly election the Alliance Party managed to hang on to its six Stormont seats despite a 3% drop in its vote.
Ulster Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson is the only sitting member of the European Parliament in Northern Ireland to defend a seat.
Northern Ireland elects three MEPs to Strasbourg and Brussels.
PA
