The re-appointed Northern Secretary, Dr John Reid, today said Northern Ireland’s voters had "overwhelming backed the Good Friday Agreement".
Speaking outside Hillsborough Castle this afternoon, Dr Reid said voters had shown a commitment to certain aspects of the Good Friday Agreement, in particular the work of the Assembly.
"I hope in the next few days to be discussing with the parties, and obviously with the Irish foreign affairs minister, the lessons to be learned and more importantly how we take the peace process forward and get the implementation of all aspects of the Good Friday agreement," Dr Reid said.
He continued: "I think all of us now have to redouble our efforts to ensure there is swift progress. The Agreement was in itself a compromise. There were always going to aspects of it which sections of the community liked better than others or disliked."
Last night Northern Ireland's main Protestant leader David Trimble also vowed to keep up the struggle to implement the Agreement.
Mr Trimble who was re-elected as MP for Upper Bann after a recount by a margin of over 2,000, said: "I have to say to the DUP, if you are democrats then you have to accept the decision of the people of Upper Bann who have placed their confidence in me again.
"You have to accept the decision of the people of Northern Ireland who have returned the Ulster Unionist Party as the largest party in Northern Ireland," he said.
Additional reporting: