The US fears the plans will undermine Nato's influence

The three nations are about to present the proposals to their European Union partners, French and British diplomatic sources said.

The submission reportedly includes plans to structure defence co-operation and to create a European military headquarters.

Correspondents say the United States is likely to baulk at the accord.

Washington will probably be unhappy with any moves which it feels undermine Nato's influence over European security.

Defence 'is key'

But, speaking in Naples during a break in a meeting of the EU's 15 current and 10 future members, French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin said it was crucial Europe forged ahead with plans for a common defence.

"This is a key issue. We can't have a Europe without defence," he told French state radio France-Info.

British officials confirmed that an agreement had been reached but emphasised that it was not a "formal solution".

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It would not appear on the official agenda but would be put to other delegates at dinner on Friday, they said.

The EU launched its first-ever peacekeeping operation, in Macedonia, in March.

It has also deployed troops under French command in the Democratic Republic of Congo and is working on plans to succeed Nato peacekeepers in Bosnia.

The US is said to be particularly upset at calls for a European defence headquarters.

But a British official has said that "any EU operations planning capability has to be compatible with Nato".

Britain has said its right to control its own defence policy is one of the "red lines" it will not allow the new EU constitution to cross.

It has reportedly also maintained that it envisages the European defence body will tackle missions Nato does not want to get involved in.

Possible UK veto

The EU countries are discussing a European constitution which is designed to bring it closer to citizens, and to streamline decision-making in the future enlarged union of 25 nations.

There is still disagreement over votes in the commission

EU president Italy hopes to reach final agreement on the text this weekend, but analysts say this is highly optimistic.

On Friday, UK Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said the UK would reject the draft if it meant states would lose their veto over foreign policy.

Spanish Foreign Minister Ana Palacio, meanwhile, has said provisions in the text which dilute the voting power Spain and Poland won at the Nice summit three years ago are "unacceptable".

Dutch Minister for Europe Atzo Nicolai said small countries like his tried without success earlier this week to force heavyweights France and Germany to play by EU rules.

Under the draft constitution the number of voting commissioners will be held at 15 - meaning 10 countries would not have fully-fledged commissioners when the union expands.

The major disagreements are expected to be left for heads of state to resolve at a summit in Brussels on 12 and 13 December.

The ratification process is due to start in mid-2004. The constitution is expected to come into force in 2006 at the earliest.