The European Union and British officials have reiterated their 'full commitment' to the Good Friday Agreement, and to the proper implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol.
It comes just days after the EU threatened to invoke Article 16 of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement, which would have tightened rules on exports.
Some animal and food checks at Larne and Belfast were then stopped, after graffiti opposing the Irish Sea border was painted in loyalist areas.
There were also fears for the safety of staff.
A woman walks past past graffiti with the words 'No Irish Sea Border' in Belfast city centre, Northern Ireland. Picture by: Peter Morrison/AP/Press Association ImagesOn Tuesday night, Northern Ireland's DUP called on all unionist parties to unite and undermine the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney admitted on Wednesday that threatening to invoke the protocol did not help the situation.
He told Newstalk: "Clearly there is lot of tension, and Friday didn't help that, when the [European] Commission made a serious mistake by signaling an intention to trigger Article 16 of the protocol - that should not have happened.
"They reversed that decision quickly, but certainly on the back of that it sparked a lot of tension in Northern Ireland - and my job is to try to calm that".
The Tánaiste Simon Coveney wearing a face mask leaving the Convention Centre in Dublin, 26-11-2020. Image: Sam Boal/RollingNewsHe also criticised the DUP for "outlining problems but no solutions" to the situation.
"Lets not forget: the DUP are a party that actually led the calls for Brexit in Northern Ireland.
"They then rejected solutions that would have been far easier for Northern Ireland to adopt".
Mr Coveney said this included the party rejecting the idea of the UK staying in the EU customs union, as well as the backstop.
EU and UK officials held talks on Wednesday, with European Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič and British Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove releasing a joint statement.
They also held a virtual meeting with Northern Ireland's First and Deputy First Ministers.
In the statement, they reiterated their full commitment to the Good Friday Agreement and to protecting the gains of the peace process.
As well as maintaining stability, avoiding disruption to the everyday lives of the people of Northern Ireland and a hard border on the island of Ireland.
Both also "condemned unreservedly" any threats or intimidation - noting that the safety and welfare of the people of Northern Ireland and staff "would always be the utmost priority."
After what was branded a "constructive discussion", it was agreed that the EU and the UK would "immediately work intensively" to find solutions to outstanding issues.
Both Vice-President Šefčovič and Mr Gove said they will keep in close contact and meet again next week in London.
