"A UN resolution will be a prerequisite for a full involvement of the European Union in the post-conflict reconstruction process," said Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou, whose country currently holds the revolving EU presidency.

He was speaking after an extraordinary meeting of EU and NATO foreign ministers, including Powell, focussed on planning for a post-war Iraq.

Papandreou said that the United States was aware of the importance the EU placed on the UN's role in post-war Iraq and that the ministers had emphasised that position during their talks.

"All of us stressed the importance that we place on the UN role in all phases of the Iraqi crisis, and certainly from now on," he said.

He also said that the Middle East peace process was a key to avoiding similar conflicts in the future and reiterated the EU's commitment to the Arab world.

"We have stressed that it is top priority to move forward with the Middle East peace process and the publication and the implementation of the roadmap," he said, referring to a planned document intended to lead to a Palestinian state.

"This is not a clash of civilisations, this is a dialogue of civilisations," Papandreou said.

US President George W. Bush said late last month that the United States would soon release the "roadmap".

The document, created by the diplomatic quartet of the United States, Russia, the United Nations and the European Union, lays out steps to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and create a Palestinian state by 2005.

Earlier Bush had promised to release the long-delayed roadmap for peace as soon as a Palestinian prime minister with real powers was confirmed in office.

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