The Irish and British governments are hoping for a positive indication from republicans this week that they are amenable to finding a resolution to the political impasse which caused the suspension of the Northern institutions.
The Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister are to meet at the fringes of an EU meeting tomorrow or Friday to discuss the political process, following Mr Tony Blair's demand for an end to all paramilitarism.
Details of the talks emerged as the Northern Secretary met the Minister for Foreign Affairs in Hillsborough, Co Down, yesterday. Dr John Reid said he looked forward to "the considered response" to Mr Blair's statement by Mr Gerry Adams soon.
Political sources indicated that republicans would not allow the peace process and the progress to date to be lost over the continuance of paramilitary groups.
"They won't let go of this," one source told The Irish Times following the Hillsborough meeting.
Dr Reid said the problems which led to the "regrettable" suspension of the executive and assembly could be worked through "if the political will is there".
He and Mr Cowen, meeting under the auspices of the British-Irish Inter-governmental Conference, confirmed their governments' commitment to the Belfast Agreement as "the only viable future for the people of Northern Ireland", according to a joint communiqué.
"Both governments believe that a representative assembly and an inclusive executive remain the most appropriate form of government for Northern Ireland," it said.
Dr Reid said after the meeting that the relationship between the governments in Dublin and London had never been stronger. It was "a bedrock of stability for the agreement", he added.
"Our two prime ministers and our two governments have never been closer than they are at present. And they are close also in the belief that the agreement represents the future of Northern Ireland, a future free from paramilitarism and sectarianism.
"The efforts which have been made over the last few hours are as determined as the efforts the two governments made over the past few years to make a success of this process," he said. "I do not believe this is a time for despondency, or discouragement, or despair."
Mr Cowen said: "The two governments are determined to press ahead with all aspects of the agreement. This was the agenda we took forward." He emphasised the need for progress on policing, human rights and equality agenda issues.
"This does not threaten anybody's interests," he said, stressing that the inter-governmental conference was fundamental to the Belfast Agreement.
Pressed for a view on the initial republican response to Mr Blair's demand for paramilitarism to cease, Dr Reid urged patience and caution, pointing out that 35 years of conflict would not be resolved within a few days of the prime minister's speech in Belfast last week.
Mr Cowen also referred to the possible recalling of the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation.
The SDLP is keen for the forum to be recalled, as it is anxious to maintain as thorough an input as possible from pro-agreement parties in both parts of Ireland.