"It appears to be an encouraging step and we certainly applaud that kind of dialogue which this approach promotes."

The findings are also viewed as an encouraging step in the attempt to understand the patterns of ecological systems.

Health care industry experts see his appointment and the government plan as encouraging steps.

The competitive revolution in telecommunication took two encouraging steps forward this week.

The White House welcomed the meeting as an "encouraging step."

"It appears that Ford is taking an encouraging step toward a more responsible approach to executive compensation."

The meeting on migration, which will be held next week in Rabat, is a first, very encouraging step.

I want to thank the Portuguese Presidency for its major contribution to these encouraging steps.

I think that this initiative is the first encouraging step towards greater account being taken of social and environmental issues in European public policies.

Ms. Albright applauded what she called "some encouraging steps taken in the last several days."