CHEYENNE - The European Union ambassador to the United States is headed to Wyoming next week.

John Bruton plans to address the Wyoming House and Senate on Thursday, then head over to Laramie to give a speech at the University of Wyoming. Bruton also will take part in round-table discussions with UW faculty both Thursday and Friday.

Bruton is a former prime minister of Ireland.

He represents the world's largest economic bloc. University of Wyoming officials say one of Bruton's goals is to raise the EU's profile in the United States and work to maintain strong economic ties between the U.S. and EU.