The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen will discuss urgent domestic and international issues at a meeting tomorrow in Washington with the US Secretary of State Mr Colin Powell.
The US plans for Iraq, ongoing violence in the Middle East and efforts to restart the Northern Ireland peace process will top the agenda.
They are also expected to discuss the US's plans to see Turkey enter the European Union. The US wants to reward Turkey for supporting any possible war against Iraq.
Ireland is not expected to object to such a move, as long as Turkey meets the economic, legal and human rights obligations of applicant countries. Turkey is not one of the 10 countries due to join the EU in May 2004.