The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, is to meet United Nations Secretary General Mr Kofi Annan in Brussels next Thursday.
Mr Cowen is to brief Mr Annan on Ireland's priorities for the EU presidency, particularly the strengthening of the EU's support for the UN.
The two will also discuss peacekeeping, including Ireland's mission to Liberia, Almost 500 Irish troops are serving with the UN peacekeeping mission in Liberia.