The Leader of the SDLP, Mr Mark Durkan, has adopted a cautious approach about the significance of tonight's meeting between the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, and the British Prime Minister, Mr Blair.
Speaking in Dublin, Mr Durkan was questioned about Sinn Féin's repeated attempts to portray the London encounter as the most important of its type for 20 years.
"I will leave it to the participants to describe it," said Mr Durkan, before he met the Taoiseach and top Department of the Taoiseach and Foreign Affairs officials in Government Buildings.
However, he warned against high expectations. "The problem is that the more options that are canvassed and advanced, the more their potential significance appears to be shop-soiled."
He said the SDLP "appreciated" the recent efforts by Mr Ahern and Mr Blair. "We all have our responsibilities in this - the governments, the parties.
"We see the London meeting as another in the series of positive and constructive meetings. Progress is being made about understandings, and possibilities within parties, between parties and between governments."
