Multi-party talks dealing with equality and human rights have taken place at Stormont without Ulster Unionist Party participation.

In a letter to the Secretary of State, Paul Murphy, David Trimble said that "secondary issues would serve as a smokescreen to divert attention away from the key issue of paramilitarism".

The UUP said there could be "no inch-by-inch negotiations," echoing a speech made by Prime Minister Tony Blair in October 2002.

Northern Ireland Office minister Des Browne co-hosted the talks with Irish Minister of State Tom Kitt at Stormont.

David Trimble: Barcelona peace conference

The discussions were aimed at implementing aspects of the Good Friday Agreement, with themes ranging from human rights to equality.

Following the meeting, Mr Browne and Mr Kitt issued a joint statement which said all the issues discussed were essential and central to the agreement.

The UUP objected to internal Northern Ireland matters being discussed at a meeting jointly chaired by the Irish Government.

"We cannot, on that ground alone, contemplate participation this afternoon," said Mr Trimble, who is currently attending a peace conference in Barcelona.

Mr Trimble's assembly team decided not to attend following a meeting held in his absence on Monday morning.

However, SDLP leader Mark Durkan rejected UUP criticism and described the meeting as useful.

Mitchel McLaughlin: Blamed lack of leadership by the UUP for problems in process

He also rubbished suggestions from the UUP that the Irish Government had no place at the talks because the matters under discussion were for the Northern Ireland government only.

Meanwhile, Sinn Fein chairman Mitchel McLaughlin has said he believed there would be a warm and generous response from republicans if there was evidence of politics working.

Speaking as he went into the talks, Mr McLaughlin said he was confident of bringing an end of the republican armed struggle tradition but his party needed partners to help with the process.

Mr McLaughlin claimed the main problems with confidence in the process was either the failure or lack of leadership by the UUP.

Regarding weekend speculation that the IRA may stand down, he said there was ill-informed speculation and before "we can get to first base" we need an implementation plan from the governments.

'Acts of completion'

Northern Ireland's devolved institutions have been in suspension since October following allegations of continuing activity by the IRA, including spying at Stormont.

Meanwhile, intense talks continue behind the scenes on other key issues such as the IRA's commitment to peace, arms, policing and demilitarisation.

Last week, Mr Trimble said the IRA had to engage in "genuine acts of completion" to give unionists the confidence to return to power-sharing with Sinn Fein.

The government is hoping this latest round of talks with the parties will pave the way for a review of the implementation of the Agreement and find a basis on which the institutions could be restored.

Unless some common ground can be found between the parties on how to proceed, there is no mechanism for reinstating Northern Ireland's power-sharing executive.

Both the governments have said there will be no re-negotiation of the Good Friday Agreement.