Martin McGuinness claimed the Armagh meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council was positive and involving, unlike some of the scripted and choreographed meetings of the past.
Supported in his claim by the Taoiseach, the Deputy First Minister spoke of the spirit of "real engagement and spontaneity" which saw Ministers contributing freely to the lively debates simply because they wanted "best advantage for the people they represent".
First Minister Ian Paisley said the reinstatement of full authority by parliaments on both sides of the Border had enabled a new and positive mood.
The official communique noted that Ministers made a point at the start of the meeting of noting the significance of the occasion.
"They welcomed the opportunity to meet in the North-South Ministerial Council to consult, promote mutually beneficial co-operation and take a number of decisions on a range of issues within the council's work programme," it said.
Ministers agreed a series of projects relating to cross-Border roads, including the Irish allocation of £400 million (€580 million).
This will go towards further upgrading the eastern seaboard route from Belfast to Larne, Co Antrim, and on a series of roads connected to the North West Gateway linking Donegal with the rest of the country.
There was also agreement on the proposed restoration of a section of the disused Ulster Canal linking Clones, Co Monaghan, and lower Lough Erne in Co Fermanagh.
The work will be overseen by Waterways Ireland, one of the North-South implementation bodies which will report back at the next plenary session of the council.
Referring to the St Andrews Agreement of last October which paved the way for restoration of Northern Ireland's powersharing government, Ministers also agreed to a review of the North-South aspects of the agreement, beginning in September.
The communique stated that the Irish Government "will consult the social partners on the [ proposed] North-South Consultative Forum" .
It also noted the review of arrangements for consulting civic society in Northern Ireland and agreed to consider this matter once that review is complete.
Regarding the proposed North-South Parliamentary Forum, which could comprise members from both the Oireachtas and Stormont, the communique said the issue would be further discussed at official level by both sides.
A report on the prospects for such a body will be presented to the NSMC "at the earliest opportunity".
The council agreed it would meet again in plenary session in Dundalk before the end of the year.