At a meeting held between the two leaders at Persson's summer residence Harpsund on Tuesday, Persson said Sweden had never supported such an idea.

If others wished to pursue such a policy Sweden would not prevent it, but nor would it participate, Finnish news agency STT quoted Persson as saying.

Jaeaetteenmaeki said she shared the same opinion .

"We are two militarily non-aligned countries and that is good for Finland and, I assume, for Sweden too," she said.

"It is possible the four countries will have joint meetings but that does not mean that in the future the four countries can work together and make decisions on behalf of the EU as to defence policy or other security policy issues," she said.

Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja was also critical of the proposal the idea, STT said.

"No joint European institution can be created in such a fashion. In just such a way might Finland, Sweden and the Baltic states propose the setting up of a European general staff. One cannot act in such a way, a small group has no authority of mandate," STT quoted him as saying.

SPACE.WIRE