A deal on the staging of the independence referendum could be presented to Prime Minister David Cameron and First Minister Alex Salmond in the next few days.
It comes after "substantial progress" was made in discussions over how and when the referendum should be held.
Officials have now been asked to do some further work on the final details of the deal.
Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Scottish Secretary Michael Moore met for talks on the referendum issue this afternoon.
Discussions included the use of a Section 30 order which would transfer power to Holyrood to legislate on the referendum, due in late 2014.
A joint statement issued by the Scottish Government and the Scotland Office after the meeting said: "Further substantial progress towards agreement was reached this afternoon between the Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and the Secretary of State Michael Moore.
"Officials have now been tasked with doing some further work on the final detail of the agreement.
"We are however on track for the full agreement, including the terms of a section 30 order, to be presented to the First Minister and the Prime Minister over the next few days."
