Opposition leader Joseph Muscat left Malta for a three-day visit to the United States.
During the visit, he is expected to have meetings at the State Department and at Capitol Hill in Washington.
Themes to be discussed include relations between Malta and the US, the situation in the Mediterranean and Europe.
Dr Muscat will also visit New York where he will meet the Maltese and Gozitan community.
The Labour leader was invited to the US by the American government.