Unionists will guarantee the stability of political institutions in Northern Ireland if republicans abandon paramilitarism for good, a senior member of the Rev Ian Paisley's DUP signalled tonight.
Just hours after British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair warned the peace process would be in difficulty if there was no progress in the talks this September, Mr Jeffrey Donaldson told a panel discussion which involved Sinn Féin's Mr Martin McGuinness that his party would work with politicians who were committed to non violence.
The Lagan Valley MP told the MacGill Summer School in Glenties, Co Donegal: "If we achieve completion on these key issues of decommissioning and paramilitarism, then unionists will respond positively.
"We are willing to give clear commitments to ensure the long-term stability of agreed political institutions on the basis of equality and fairness.
"We are prepared to work with others to build a society in Northern Ireland where tolerance and mutual respect are the key attitudes with which we mark out our relationships with each other.
"Communities across Northern Ireland must be able to take ownership in the task of building a prosperous and fair society."
Devolution has been suspended in Northern Ireland since October 2002 when claims that the IRA was operating a spy ring at Stormont threatened to destroy the power sharing executive involving unionists and nationalists.
Prime Minister Mr Blair and the Taoiseach Mr Ahern failed twice last year to revive the Stormont Executive amid unionist concerns about the IRA.
Sinn Féin's Mr Martin McGuinness told the summer school that his party wanted to build its relationship with unionism.
However the Mid Ulster MP insisted there had to be dialogue between his party and the DUP if there was to be progress.
"The results of the November election and the more recent European election brought a new political reality. Sinn Fein and the DUP are now the main political parties in the north," he said.
"But this new reality must bring a new political realism. It certainly places a huge responsibility on the two governments, the DUP and Sinn Féin to act responsibly to find a way forward.
"The best way to do this is through direct dialogue, including between the DUP and Sinn Féin and, despite our political differences I warmly welcome Jeffrey Donaldson's presence here tonight and his willingness to debate our political differences in an open and direct way.
"For Sinn Féin, the objective is clear - to restore the political institutions and end the crisis in the process."