Sinn Fein and the SDLP have given guarded responses to reports about the package of measures proposed by the two governments.
Mr Gerry Kelly, the Sinn Fein MLA for North Belfast, said republicans wanted the package to bridge the gap from what was discussed at the recent Weston House talks in England to something they could accept.
"When I left Weston House, I was not encouraged to believe that the substantial jump that needs to be taken to bring it into line with Patten, to bring it into line with the requirements of the Good Friday agreement, had been taken," he said.
"We haven't received anything at this moment that would bridge the gap that was there at Weston House."
Asked if a detailed proposal on the policing and demilitarisation issues would persuade the IRA to put its weapons beyond use, Mr Kelly would only say that there was much work to be done on the implementation of the entire Belfast Agreement. "But if we get a package that moves us forward then there would be no one happier than myself or anyone in Sinn Fein," he said.
He had no reason to expect an IRA statement in coming days.
Mr Alex Attwood, the SDLP party chairman, said it would only make a judgment about the comprehensive package when that package was released.
"We will judge the comprehensive package against the template of the Good Friday agreement, and if we interpret that as being consistent with the Good Friday agreement we will accept it," he said.
Speaking in advance of meeting the four main parties in the Republic today, Mr Sean Farren of the SDLP said: "Either we seize the opportunity to build on the Good Friday agreement or we risk not only the agreement but any prospect of achieving lasting peace."
Mr Sean Neeson, the leader of the Alliance party, said it would be premature to judge the package until he saw it.
However, while he welcomed indications that the investigatory powers of the Police Board and Police Ombudsman would be strengthened, he warned that his party would have "very grave concerns" about a proposed indemnity for paramilitaries on the run.
Prof Monica McWilliams, of the Women's Coalition, said she hoped the package would enable the peace process to move to the next stage.
She said issues such as the proposed indemnity would not be a problem if participants in the process trusted each other.
"No one should expect for one minute that this will be the end of the process, and next time it will be up to the parties themselves," she said.