The Ulster Unionists yesterday boycotted multi-party talks at Stormont on the implementation of aspects of the Belfast Agreement. The Progressive Unionist Party, the UVF's political wing, also stayed away from the meeting.
There has been growing disquiet within the loyalist community at recent developments in the peace process.
Only nationalist politicians, and the cross-community Alliance Party and Women's Coalition, were present at yesterday's discussions, which focused on equality, human rights and the Irish language.
The talks were co-chaired by a Northern Ireland Office Minister, Mr Des Browne, and the junior Irish Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Tom Kitt. The discussions were regarded as low-level.
In a letter to the Northern Secretray, Mr Paul Murphy, about yesterday's meeting, the UUP leader, Mr David Trimble, claimed the discussion of "secondary issues" would only be a "smokescreen to divert attention from the key issue of paramiltiarism".
He continued: "I appreciate that you have tried to meet our objection by dividing the agenda and putting the secondary issues before a meeting labelled 'implementation' while retaining the key issues for a meeting labelled 'round-table'.
"It is doubtful if this distinction will be visible to the public or carry any conviction."
Mr Trimble, who is attending a peace conference in Barcelona, also objected to the presence of Mr Kitt at a meeting on matters relating solely to the North. "We cannot, on that ground alone, contemplate participation," he added.
In a joint statement after the meeting, Mr Browne and Mr Kitt said all the issues discussed were "essential and central" to the Belfast Agreement.
They said there had been "useful and productive exchanges" involving the parties present. The discussions were "part of a valuable process of rebuilding the trust and confidence necessary for the restoration of stable and inclusive institutions" under the agreement.
The two governments said they planned to hold a further round-table meeting, chaired by Mr Murphy and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, next week. They also agreed to develop the next stage of policy regarding victims of the Troubles. Community relations and reconciliation would also be discussed, their statement said.
Speaking after yesterday's meeting, the SDLP leader, Mr Mark Durkan, rejected UUP criticism and described the discussions as "useful". He dismissed Mr Trimble's suggestion that the government had no place at the talks.
The Sinn Féin chairman, Mr Mitchel McLaughlin, said he was confident of bringing an end to the tradition of physical-force republicanism but said his party needed partners to help with the process.
He blamed lack of leadership by the UUP for current problems. He said he believed there would be a generous response from republicans if there was evidence of politics working. The Alliance leader, Mr David Ford, called for changes in the way the First and Deputy First Ministers are elected.