The Government and the Stormont Executive will unite on economic projects to benefit both parts of Ireland and to press for a level playing field for businesses in relation to taxation.
Following yesterday's meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council, First Minister the Rev Ian Paisley, Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, appeared together in an extraordinary show of common purpose - even by the recent standards of the peace process - to highlight their plan of work.
The meeting approved a series of cross-Border initiatives including an Irish Government contribution of £400 million (€580 million) to help fund major road programmes within Northern Ireland.
Speaking at a joint press conference after the meeting Dr Paisley said he believed Northern Ireland had embarked finally on a new future based on mutual co-operation. "I think we have turned the corner," he said.
Sitting alongside Mr McGuinness and Mr Ahern he added: "It is up to us to see that now we build something that will be stable and strong. It is a tall order."
He said the task was onerous but he was convinced there was the political will on both sides of the Border to see it through.
The Taoiseach responded, praising the conduct of the meeting which, he said, was the most positive he had witnessed.
He emphasised the importance of the council saying that was why he brought 11 Ministers to meet their Stormont equivalents.
The talks were "as lively and all-embracing an engagement as I have ever been at", he said.
"Remarkable progress has been made in the summer of 2007. It has been a tremendous honour to work with the First Minister and the Deputy Minister."
Mr McGuinness went further. He singled out the DUP leader for particular praise: "I want to pay tribute to the leadership shown by the leader of the DUP, our First Minister Ian Paisley," he said.
"I think he has made a very powerful contribution to bringing the position to where it is today. There is tremendous hope on this island.
"We want to end conflict on this island. I believe the First Minister and myself are part of an administration that is full of dedication and commitment to make this work and I believe we are going to go from strength to strength."
Mr McGuinness, Dr Paisley and the Taoiseach stressed the need to raise the problems caused by varying rates of corporation tax.
The First Minister said he held the British government responsible for some of the spending decisions during direct rule which left Northern Ireland with poor infrastructure.
"I believe they have to be responsible. I am not responsible for the deterioration in the water service and the things which go to build a proper economy.
"They have used money wrongly and now they must give an account."
Mr McGuinness and Dr Paisley pressed for an early date for a meeting involving Gordon Brown and new chancellor Alistair Darling to discuss taxation and funding for infrastructure.
"The prime minister has responsibility," the DUP leader said.
"He can't just leave us to float on the Atlantic Ocean."
Speaking in Derry, SDLP leader Mark Durkan welcomed the positive outcome of the council, saying: "The work of the North South Ministerial Council has the ability to change the face of politics on the island.
"This is another example of how the institutions of the Good Friday agreement can be positive drivers for change for all the people of these islands."