Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy tonight expressed hope that the North's politicians could overcome their differences and restore devolution.
As parties go ready for next week's intense round of talks involving the British Prime Minister Tony Blair and the Taoiseach, Mr Murphy welcomed the arrival of US President George W Bush's advisor on Northern Ireland, Ambassador Richard Haass, on a three day visit to Ireland and Britain.
Mr Haass met the Northern Ireland Secretary in London and was due to discuss recent developments in the peace process with Ulster Unionist leader Mr David Trimble.
The US official has also pencilled in talks in Dublin tomorrow with the Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Cowen and Mr Ahern covering the Iraq crisis as well as the peace process.
He will travel onto Belfast where he will meet pro Agreement parties on Wednesday including Sinn Féin, the SDLP, the cross community Alliance Party and Women's Coalition and the loyalist Progressive Unionists.
Mr Haass has also arranged meetings with the Rev Paisley's Democratic Unionists and with community and voluntary groups.
Mr Murphy tonight paid to tribute to the US administration's continued support for efforts to restore devolution in Northern Ireland.
After updating Ambassador Haass on the recent round of talks, he declared: "We are engaged in a process which aims to build trust and confidence among the political parties to restore devolved government as soon as possible.
"If we are to succeed, it will require participation from everyone and I particularly value the ongoing support of the American administration as we work to achieve this goal.
"Next week the Prime Minister and Taoiseach will be in Northern Ireland to meet with the political parties as we work to find a way to re-establish the devolved institutions. This will require much effort from all involved but I am confident that a way forward can be found.
"Everyone agrees that Northern Ireland is best governed through local Ministers making local decisions within the Assembly. The sooner we achieve this the better for the people of Northern Ireland".
Mr Haass is expected to use his visits to London, Dublin and Belfast to stress the Bush administration's continued support for the Belfast Agreement.
Mr Haass is being linked with a new role as president of the influential US Council of Foreign Relations and is being tipped to take up the post in the summer.
However the Bush administration expects him to be closely involved in efforts over the coming weeks to get a comprehensive deal addressing unionist, nationalist and republican concerns about the implementation of the Agreement.
PA