"I don't think we are going to talk about financial aid," he said, adding that other questions including the role of the UN in post-war Iraq and the situation in Middle East would take precedence.

The meeting between Powell and NATO and EU foreign ministers would be a good chance to seek to heal deep diplomatic wounds inflicted by the Iraq crisis.

"It's a good opportunity to have a frank debate between friends among allies on a very difficult situation," he told reporters, arriving for talks at NATO's Brussels headquarters.

"We have to continue to work together to recuperate the spirit of cooperation," he added.

And he forecast that Europe and the US would be able to reach an agreement on the role of the UN in Iraq, despite their differences.

The EU wants the UN to take a "central" role, while the US administration appears divided on the issue, with hawks saying the US should remain in charge in Iraq.

"An agreement has been already reached on food for oil," Solana said, referring to an accord by the UN Security Council. "If that has been possible I don't see why the rest should not be possible," he said.

WAR.WIRE