Sinn Féin chief negotiator Mr Martin McGuinness has called for direct dialogue between Sinn Féin and the DUP.
Mr McGuinness made the call in a statement to mark the tenth anniversary of the IRA ceasefire. He said republicans had sought to engage with their opponents and to develop ways to overcome difficulties and differences with their adversaries.
Sinn Fein chief negotiator Martin McGuinness
The former Stormont minister for education said the peace process was faced with "deep difficulties" but said it was the responsibility of politicians to work towards a resolution.
He said Sinn Féin believed "completely" in the need to build relationships with unionism and acknowledged the results of the November election and the European elections had brought about a new political reality.
Mr McGuinness said: "Sinn Féin and the DUP are now the main political parties in the north. The new reality must bring with it a new political realism. It certainly places a huge responsibility on the two governments, the DUP and Sinn Féin to act responsibly to find a way forward."
He added that Sinn Féin was committed to playing "a full and productive role" in resolving the outstanding issues, including issues of concern to unionists. He said Sinn Féin recognised "fully" the challenge this represented for Irish republicans.
Mr McGuinness called on unionists to come at the discussion "in the same spirit of generosity and with a willingness to listen to, and deal with, the issues of concern to the nationalist and republican community".
