Political representatives from Britain, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man are attending the seventh meeting of the British-Irish Council in Douglas today.
Britain's deputy prime minister John Prescott
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Tánaiste Mary Harney are attending, as are British Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott and Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain.
The British/Irish Council (BIC) is one of the institutions set up under the 1998 Good Friday Agreement to promote the mutually beneficial development of all eight nations.
In a communiqué issued by the council this afternoon it said it "recognised the ongoing commitment of the two Governments to the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement.
"The council looked forward to the restoration of the devolved institutions, established under the agreement, as soon as possible," it added.
Delegates are also exploring how telemedicine can modernise the provision of health and social care in their respective rural communities.
Telemedicine allows doctors in remote areas to communicate via IT links with specialists at hospitals to improve the diagnosis and treatment of their patients.
BIC member countries and their health department officials are expected to identify specific areas where the high-tech system may be piloted in coming months. Other issues of common interest being discussed include transport, misuse of drugs, social inclusion and the environment.