The North's Deputy First Minister and SDLP leader, Mr Mark Durkan, has met the Taoiseach in Dublin in an effort to strengthen the relationship between the two administrations.
Mr Durkan stressed that North-South co-operation was at the heart of the Belfast Agreement. "I look forward to the Executive working closely with the Irish Government through the full and stable operation of the North-South Ministerial Council and implementation bodies," he said.
"I look forward to making the most of the productive relationship established with the Taoiseach during the political negotiations leading up to Good Friday agreement and developed since.
"We know each other well and I share his determination to ensure its full implementation.
"We are making steady progress in achieving the objectives set out in the agreement but there is still a long way to go," Mr Durkan added.
Meanwhile, an SDLP delegation comprising the party's members of the Police Board has met the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, to raise issues of concern regarding the new police service.
Afterwards the party chairman, Mr Alex Attwood, said Mr Cowen had confirmed his "consistent availability" to assist a new beginning to policing following the progress already made.