The Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Cowen is holding his first formal meetings with members of the US administration in Washington today.
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Mr Brian Cowen
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The visit will begin with a call on the 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 peace process.
He will 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 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 Belfast Agreement.
Mr Cowen and Mr Powell will also discuss the Middle East, EU-US relations and the United Nations.
