Full implementation of the Good Friday agreement would be a "very apt" way to mark the "landmark" 10th anniversary of the Downing Street Declaration in December, according to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen.
The Irish and British governments were working with the parties towards the aim of "establishing confidence that paramilitarism is being brought to an end and that the political institutions are operating on a stable and sustainable basis".
The past year had seen some positive developments, "such as the ongoing process of change that is transforming policing in Northern Ireland and the good work that is being done, on all sides, to maintain calm at community interfaces during the tense summer period".
Speaking at a lunch in Dublin Castle for the Diplomatic Corps yesterday, he said: "This December will mark the 10th anniversary of the Downing Street Declaration when the Irish and British governments solemnly committed themselves to the fundamental principles underlying the peace process.
"Its objectives included 'healing divisions in Ireland and of ending a conflict which has been so manifestly to the detriment of all'.
"The full implementation of the Good Friday agreement would fulfil this vision and would represent a very apt way to mark this forthcoming landmark anniversary."
Turning to European issues, he said the convention had been, "in terms both of substance and process, an outstanding success".
While Ireland, like other countries, had a number of concerns which it would pursue further, "we regard the convention's report as balanced and comprehensive, and an excellent basis for starting work in the forthcoming Intergovernmental Conference".