In a speech in Dresden, southeast Germany, he pleaded for "a second pillar within the North Atlantic alliance" that would "live up to its name."

Schroeder said Europe should become "a self-confident partner to the United States."

He said the European pillar was not directed at anyone but was necessary in the interests of Europe and for NATO's own functioning.

He acknowledged the process needed time and would encounter problems along the way but said it was of enormous importance for Europe's political role in the wider world.

Schroeder and the leaders of France, Belgium and Luxembourg agreed earlier this week to form a joint command headquarters for military operations outside the NATO arena.

They also promised to create a rapid reaction force consisting mainly of a Franco-German brigade.

Other EU countries reacted coolly to the idea, saying that NATO remained a cornerstone of defence and should not be weakened, while the United States was withering in its response.

The four countries all notably opposed the US-led war on Iraq.

German-US ties have been badly damaged by Berlin's fierce anti-war stance. The German government said earlier Friday that while it welcomed a declaration by US President George W. Bush that the war was all but over, it was sticking to its principled opposition.

SPACE.WIRE