The Netherlands will host a meeting of European Union and U.S. officials on Dec. 10, the Dutch government said on Friday, in what is expected to be U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell's last official visit to Europe. The Dutch government, which holds the rotating EU presidency, said in a statement Europe would be represented by foreign policy chief Javier Solana and the new Commissioner for External Relations, Benita Ferrero-Waldner. It did not say who would be representing the United States but the visit is expected to be Powell's last to Europe before he hands over to national security adviser Condoleezza Rice. Powell is expected in Brussels on Dec. 8-9 for NATO meetings. EU diplomats said the two sides -- still trying to patch up relations strained by the Iraq war -- were likely to discuss the Middle East peace process, Iran, Iraq, Russia and Afghanistan. The Dutch government said the meeting was significant given the appointment of a new EU Commission on Thursday and the re-election of U.S. President George W. Bush.
