LONDON, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his Irish counterpart Brian Cowen said they are confident that a deal will be reached on the devolution of policing and justice to Northern Ireland, the prime minister's office announced on Monday.

    Speaking in a joint press conference at Downing Street, Brown and Taoiseach Cowen said they were working together and with the parties in the Northern Ireland Executive to reach an agreement.

    They added that great progress on devolution had been made in recent years under the Good Friday Agreement and the St Andrews Agreement.

    Brown said: "I know there are still challenges to be met...and there are still outstanding issues that people want to raise as part of these discussions but I do say I'm optimistic that we can see a way forward."

    Cowen said: "We will continue to work with all the parties in the coming days. With goodwill and leadership we will, we believe, as we have seen in the past, overcome the obstacles."

    During the Queen's speech earlier this month, the British government said it would continue to work with Northern Ireland's leaders to complete the devolution of policing and justice and to ensure its success.

    The two leaders also discussed British and Irish roles in the EU on the eve of the Lisbon Treaty coming into force, and the need for a European strategy for jobs and growth.