The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, is leading an EU delegation to meet US Secretary of State Mr Colin Powell in Washington today.
Mr Cowen will be accompanied by the EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy, Mr Javier Solana, and the External Relations Commissioner, Mr Chris Patten.
It is expected the talks will cover EU-US relations, the Middle East peace process, Iraq, Iran, Cyprus and the preparations for the EU follow-up to NATO's stabilisation force in Bosnia (SFOR). Irish troops have served with SFOR since 1997.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Brian Cowen
Mr Cowen will brief Mr Powell on his recent contacts with politicians from the Middle East, including last Friday's meeting with the Israeli foreign minister.
A statement said Mr Cowen will seek US "encouragement and support for an early meeting of the two prime ministers and for the EU policy of seeking idea of small, concrete and visible steps, in accordance with the road map [the US-backed Middle East peace plan], to help restore confidence between the two sides".
"The United States, a member of the quartet with the EU, is a hugely important partner in efforts to achieve a just and sustainable peace in the Middle-East," said Mr Cowen.
"It is important that we work in the closest unison towards that shared goal. While, in the end, movement must come from the Israelis and the Palestinians, working together we can help provide a framework and a context where that movement can take place."
The meeting will also discuss preparations for the EU-US Summit, which is scheduled to take place in Ireland on June 25th and 26th. US President Mr George W. Bush will visit Ireland for the summit.
Anti-war protesters have said they will organise marches by those opposed to the war on Iraq to coincide with the visit.