Current difficulties in the Middle East are to be raised by the Minister for Foreign Affairs at this weekend's European Summit in Stockholm.
Following a meeting in Dublin yesterday with Dr Nabil Shaath, the Palestinian Minister for Planning and International Co-operation, Mr Cowen stressed the need for an end to violence and the resumption of negotiations.
A statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said the Minister shared Palestinian concern at the effect of Israeli closure policy on the Palestinian economy and at continued settlement-building.
The Minister also referred to "Ireland's active engagement on these issues at the UN Security Council".
Reflecting the close relationship between their governments, the Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister have written a joint letter to their Swedish counterpart, Mr Goran Persson, dealing with some of the economic issues which will be the main focus of the summit.
Although no formal arrangement has been made for a bilateral meeting between the Taoiseach and Mr Blair, their parties will be staying at the same hotel and it is likely the two leaders will find time to discuss the latest developments in Northern Ireland in particular.
The Russian President, Mr Vladimir Putin, will have lunch tomorrow with the heads of government. While most of the discussion will be about economic matters, the situation in Chechnya is likely to be raised. Simultaneously, the Russian Foreign Minister, Mr Igor Ivanov, will have lunch with his EU counterparts.