How do I call C++ Windows API functions from VB.NET?

ok i made a program in visual basic .NET
thats opens a outside program(Mirc) , goes to a certain chanel and identify my name
i was wondering how i would minize that outside program after that is all done

not sure if this will help but this is what i have so far

Code:

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Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load
        Shell("c:\wirc\wirc.exe", AppWinStyle.MinimizedFocus)
        Me.Focus()
        timer1.Enabled = True
        Me.Visible = False
       
    End Sub

    Private Sub Timer1_Tick(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles timer1.Tick
        Dim temp As String

        FileOpen(1, "C:\test.txt", OpenMode.Input)
        temp = LineInput(1)
        FileClose(1)
        System.Windows.Forms.SendKeys.Send("/msg [email protected] identify ")
        System.Windows.Forms.SendKeys.Send(temp)
        System.Windows.Forms.SendKeys.Send("{ENTER}")


        timer2.Enabled = True
        timer1.Enabled = False
    End Sub

    Private Sub Timer2_Tick(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles timer2.Tick
        System.Windows.Forms.SendKeys.Send("/join #cohacks")
        System.Windows.Forms.SendKeys.Send("{ENTER}")
        timer2.Enabled = False
        End
    End Sub




   
End Class

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You call an APi just like you do in VB6...

As far as I have seen so far, you only have to concern yourself with changing any LONGS declared in a VB6 API call to INTEGERS in the .Net call...