The Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Cowen will have his first formal meetings with leading members of the new US Administration during his visit to Washington DC tomorrow.
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Mr Brian Cowen
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The visit will begin on with a call on the new US Vice-President, Mr Dick Cheney, at the White House where the Minister is expected to convey the Government's appreciation to the Vice-President for the continuing support of successive US Administrations for the Northern Ireland peace process.
Later in a series of meetings on Capitol Hill Mr Cowen will address the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and brief Senators Edward Kennedy, Mr Chris Dodd and Ms Susan Collins on current developments in the peace process.
Hewill attend President George W. Bush's inaugural address to both Houses of Congress.
After a meeting in Congress with the House International Relations Committee he will have talks at the State Department with the new US Secretary of State, Mr Colin Powell. These will include a briefing by Mr Cowen on the continuing efforts to secure full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement.
Mr Cowen and Secretary Powell will also discuss the Middle East, EU-US relations and the United Nations, including issues currently before the UN Security Council.