...the key word here is 'IF'. Was the announcement flagging that...

...the key word here is 'IF'. Was the announcement flagging that the current informal discussions may not lead to anything or, even, there is little chance that they will? So, according to the 3rd October announcement, if there is no progress, there will be no announcement.
I would have thought that a more positive response (along the lines 'WHEN these various discussions are completed" would provide better certainty as to the progress.