Brussels, 16/03/2007 (Agence Europe) - Representatives of the European Union, the acting President of the Council of the EU, German foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner, and EU High Representative for CFSP, Javier Solana, will be discussing international issues during their visit to Washington on Monday. The politicians will cover issues like the Middle East and the new Palestinian national unity government, Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, Syria, the future of Kosovo, relations with Russia, the situation in Darfur, Sudan, and the situation in Afghanistan. The two sides will also discuss preparations for the EU-US summit in Washington on 30 April and the draft new Transatlantic Partnership Agreement, which is close to the heart of German Chancellor Angela Merkel. After the meeting between the EU Troika and representatives of the Bush Administration, Ferrero-Waldner will have a meeting with EU and US companies to discuss forming an EU-US energy technology forum. (eh)