The Parades Commission said today it was pledged to safeguard the parading tradition in Northern Ireland.
In comments clearly aimed at the Orange Order and its concerns about the erosion of marching rights, the Commission said it saw a future for parades and would do "all in its power to secure the future of the parading tradition".
However, the Commission said that the marching traditions could only be preserved in a way "which all citizens will view as fair and respectful".
Commission chairman Mr Tony Holland, publishing his annual report, said the issue was about "shared space".
He said he was optimistic the Orange Order would eventually drop its policy of refusal to recognise the Commission and enter discussion.
There was a "good chance", he said, of the Order reversing its policy."It's in their interest, they are the main parading organisation."
On Monday the Commission will make its ruling on the annually contentious and troublesome Drumcree Parade in Portadown the following Sunday.
It is expected there will be no change from recent years when Orangemen have been banned from marching down the nationalist Garvaghy Road because of residents' objections.
Looking forward to Monday's ruling on Drumcree, Mr Holland said the announcement and its consequences "have assumed an importance out of all proportion to what it is about".
In a clear call for meaningful engagement between the two sides, and giving an indication the parade will remain banned, he continued: "Nevertheless those reluctant to lift their sight to what it could be like in five years' time know that by doing nothing different, nothing will change.
PA