The co-signing of the four treaties supplementing the Belfast Agreement in Dublin has been welcomed by the North's Deputy First Minister, Mr Seamus Mallon. He said it was another important step towards fulfilling the commitments of the agreement.
"The implementation bodies, the North-South Ministerial Council, the British-Irish Council, and the Intergovernmental Conference will play a significant role in reshaping the relationships within the island of Ireland and Britain," he said.
Mr Mallon stated that enhanced cross-Border co-operation was "a sensible and natural approach to dealing with issues of mutual interest".
The new working relationships would prove "beneficial and productive", he said. "An old quarrel between Britain and Ireland is being put to rest. We must begin the business of constructing a peaceful and prosperous future for all our people."
The Alliance Party also welcomed the signing of the treaties. Party spokesman Mr Stephen Farry said: "North-South bodies and co-operation can help to overcome some of the economic and social dislocations caused by the Border.
"Other matters stand to benefit from cross-British Isles interactions and from the various devolved administrations discussing matters of mutual interest, bypassing central government.
"These treaties reflect a much more flexible and open approach to sovereignty and decision-making. The remaining steps are the establishment of an executive by David Trimble and a start to decommissioning by the paramilitaries."
