Germany: Chancellor Gerhard Schröder has called for a fundamental review of the relationship between Europe and the United States, to take account of the EU's growing importance.
In an address spoken on his behalf by Germany's defence minister, Mr Peter Struck, to the annual Conference on Security Policy in Munich, Mr Schröder, who is suffering from the flu, said NATO is no longer the primary forum for transatlantic dialogue.
"The admission of new members is proof that NATO continues to be attractive. And NATO's presence in Afghanistan has highlighted how helpful its military organisation can be even in distant crises. However, it is no longer the primary venue where transatlantic partners discuss and co-ordinate strategies," he said.
Mr Schröder added that the dialogue between the EU and the US "does justice neither to the Union's growing importance nor to the new demands on transatlantic co-operation". He called on the governments of the US and the EU to establish a high-level panel modelled on the group set up by Mr Kofi Annan to consider the reform of the United Nations.
"This panel should submit a report to the heads of state and government of NATO and the European Union by the beginning of 2006 and on the basis of its analysis and proposals, the necessary conclusions could then be drawn," he said.
Mr Schröder urged Washington to "actively support" Europe's diplomatic efforts in Iran, which he said were aimed at preventing a nuclear arms race in the Middle East.
"We must overcome Iran's massive isolation. For Iran will only abandon its nuclear ambitions for good if not only its economic but also its legitimate security interests are safeguarded. In order to achieve this, it will be necessary to work with our American partner and in a dialogue with the region to develop sustainable security structures for the Gulf region," he said.
The US Defence Secretary, Mr Donald Rumsfeld, told the conference that the approaches of Europe and America to Iran were "very close to each other". He called on Europeans to "put aside old differences" and co-operate in the fight against terrorism.
The EU foreign policy chief, Mr Javier Solana, said that the Iranians should not be surprised if the international community is suspicious of them.
"They have conducted a whole range of nuclear activities and experiments without declaring them", he said.