Scotland's First Minister said he has "enormous respect" for Ireland and the "journey that Ireland has taken in the use of its independence".
John Swinney met with Minister of State for International Development Neale Richmond at the launch of the Ireland Scotland Bilateral Cooperation Framework 2030.
The framework aims to build business, climate, energy, culture and education links between the two countries.
At the Iveagh House, Mr Swinney, who is the leader of the Scottish National Party, said he admires the "journey of Ireland and wants Scotland to be an independent country".
He said Ireland has "the golden combination of independence" with membership of the European Union.
Meanwhile, he said Scotland has the "golden combination of the prospect of independence" and the "prospect of membership of the European Union".
Reacting to Ireland's new measures on immigration, Mr Swinney said the Irish Government "must take the decisions it deems to be appropriate".
However, he said Scotland needs to have a "bespoke migration system" to enable migration, to supplement its working-age population.
Mr Swinney said the UK is "going to be hostile to any idea that we should have a different or distinctive approach to migration".
He said when Scotland's need for a different system was put to the UK Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood dismissed it as "perverse".
However, he said this is "what Scotland needs".
Mr Swinney said this strengthens the argument that "Scotland needs to be an independent country".
"I think we have got to take an approach in relation to migration which recognises the specific challenges that we face in Scotland," he said.
After announcing the framework, Mr Richmond said Ireland and Scotland's ties have "grown immeasurably" in recent years, pointing towards a "shared heritage".
Mr Richmond said one area of the partnership he is particularly interested in is Space.
He said the Space sector is long-established in Scotland and many companies here are now working with third-level institutions to "really develop that".
Mr Swinney said Ireland and Scotland have strengths that, if combined, "could have even more impact".
"There are opportunities to take this cooperation further," he said, adding that both countries can work together in other jurisdictions.
Mr Swinney said the framework puts Ireland and Scotland's relationship on a "long-term, sustainable footing".
He said he had a "wonderful" meeting earlier with President Catherine Connolly.
He said being President Connolly's first head of government visitor from outside of Ireland was a "huge privilege".
