The Ulster Unionists have said they remained opposed to the policing and justice deal despite holding telephone discussions with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Mrs Clinton spoke to UUP leader Sir Reg Empey after his party announced on Friday that it would not back the Hillsborough Agreement at a crucial Assembly vote on Tuesday.
Sir Reg said he appreciated the call from Mrs Clinton, but stressed that his party still intended to vote 'no' on the proposal to transfer policing and justice powers from London to Belfast in April.
"She (Mrs Clinton) has always taken a very keen interest in Northern Ireland and I thanked her for the call," he said.
"She's obviously very anxious to see a successful resolution but I explained the situation we faced. She was very pleasant and helpful and I think she understands our view that we should have been more involved (in the Hillsborough talks)."
Sir Reg said "nothing substantive" had developed over the weekend to address any of his party's concerns.
Sir Reg did not close the door on a potential change of position ahead of the UUP executive meeting on Monday night, when the party will make a final decision on how it will vote.
The UUP was the only party to boycott the unveiling of the Hillsborough Agreement last month.
Sir Reg repeatedly complained that he had been kept in the dark during the marathon talks between the DUP and Sinn Fein.
He has also been highly critical of what he calls the "dysfunctional nature of the executive".
A working group jointly chaired by Sir Reg to look at improving the working of the Executive meets on Monday morning and the UUP leader said those discussions could have some impact on his party's thinking.
He said while no talks were scheduled with DUP First Minister Peter Robinson or Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, he would welcome a meeting with them.
"If something arises, then it arises," he said. "I would be very willing to meet."
It is understood Mrs Clinton also called Mr McGuinness to discuss the state of play ahead of Tuesday's vote.
Meanwhile, Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams described the Hillsborough Agreement as an important staging post during his keynote speech at the party's Ard Fheis in Dublin.
Mr Adams praised his Sinn Fein colleagues for hammering out the Agreement with the DUP.
"Policing and justice powers will be transferred in April. By the end of the year there will also be the transfer of powers from London to Belfast to deal with the issue of parades. More powers moving from England to Ireland; isn't that a good thing for the people of Ireland?"
"This Agreement is a staging post. It is proof that change is possible," Mr Adams said.
© UTV News