KEY POINTS:
Trade, counter-terrorism and instability in the Pacific will be on the agenda when Prime Minister Helen Clark meets United States President George W Bush later this month.
Helen Clark's office confirmed early today that she will meet President Bush during a visit to Washington on March 20-21.
The visit signals a continuing thawing of relations, with both countries appearing to concentrate on increased co-operation towards common goals rather than New Zealand's contentious anti-nuclear policy.
She is also likely to have talks with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, although that meeting is not yet confirmed.
Helen Clark said she was looking forward to speaking with President Bush and other senior members of his administration.
"New Zealand and the United States enjoy a strong and mature friendship built on common values and a long history of working together in many areas," she said.
"Our world faces major security, economic, energy and environmental challenges in the 21st century.
"New Zealand values the opportunity to have dialogue with and work alongside the United States on many of these issues."
After meeting President Bush, the Prime Minister will visit Chicago and Seattle.
Helen Clark said she would look to promote New Zealand's science, technology, investment, education and tourism linkages with the US in the two cities.
The US is New Zealand's second largest trade partner.
Helen Clark last visited Washington in 2002, but has since met President Bush several times on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) forum.
- NZPA