Greek Defence Minister Yannis Papantoniou said after a meeting here with his German counterpart Peter Struck that the EU's defence policy must include "as many members as possible" in order to be taken seriously.

Struck also spoke out in favour of a defence policy that includes all member states and expressed opposition to a "single cavalier" of only a small group of countries.

Their comments come just two weeks before the leaders of Belgium, France, Germany and Luxembourg are due to meet in a special defence summit that notably excludes EU military heavyweight Britain.

The planned meeting on April 29 has already aroused controversy since it only involves the EU's four most outspoken opponents of the US-led invasion of Iraq.

Papantoniou said that Greece, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the European Union, will not be in a position to attend the summit.

However he expressed hope that the meeting will provide an impulse for Europe's defence policy from which other member states will be able to benefit.

"If Europe wants to play a substantial role in world affairs, it must be able to count on a substantial military force," he said.

He said a EU defence policy will have the necessary credibility if it is adopted by all of Europe.

The EU's Justice and Home Affairs Commissioner Antonio Vitorino said on Monday the four-way defence summit should be turned into a full-blown EU event attended by all 15 member states.

Italy, which takes over the EU's presidency in July, has also asked that the meeting be opened to all EU members.

SPACE.WIRE