The European Union said today war with Iraq was not inevitable and that it would work to head off a conflict.
EU Commission President Romano Prodi and Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis, current European Union president, said the bloc was determined to unite to seek a peaceful solution.
"I say war is not and must not be inevitable. We all have to do everything we can to find a peaceful solution to the crisis," Mr Prodi told a news conference.
Mr Simitis said he would try to bring about a common EU position on the crisis over Iraq's alleged weapons of mass destruction and he hoped the European Union could contribute to peace by building its common foreign policy.
Opinions among EU nations have ranged from staunch support by Britain for a war if Iraq violates UN resolutions to opposition by Germany to being involved in combat.
"Our view is that the Security council must again deal with this issue with the facts at hand," Mr Simitis said.
Germany, Spain, Britain and France - all EU members - are at current members of the 15-nation Security Council.