Ulster Unionist Leader, Mike Nesbitt MLA, attended today's meeting of the Leaders of the Northern Ireland Executive Parties, to argue the case for the separation of the three strands of work that made up the 2013 Haass Talks, and the consequent series of Leaders' meetings over the first five months of 2014.

Mr Nesbitt said:

"I believe we collectively owe it to the people and to Northern Ireland's reputation on the international stage, to do all we can to ensure a peaceful and respectful summer. 

"On that basis, I suggested we decoupled the three strands and focused exclusively on agreement on Parades & associated Protests. 

"The three-stranded approach, including Flags & Emblems and Dealing with the Past, was agreed nearly a year ago, and is no nearer a successful completion than it was when Dr Haass returned to the United States. 

"It is time to try a different approach.

"Indeed from the outset of the Haass Talks, we pushed the idea that agreements should be ‘banked’ as we made progress. 

“It is noteworthy that Dr Haass himself recognised the dangers of the so-called 'nothing is agreed until everything is agreed' approach. 

"I understand he made that clear on numerous occasions. 

“I am disappointed the other parties were unwilling to agree to decouple the strands and focus on the pressing issue of contested parades. This would open the opportunity for a quick win, valuable in its own right and also a momentum-builder for the future. 

“It seems to me the current talks format is going nowhere, and while I am disappointed my proposal did not find favour, I will continue to argue the case for an effective mechanism to agree a better way forward.”