Differences still exist between Tony Blair and the two other leaders

There was broad agreement at the Berlin talks on calling for the swift transfer of power to Iraqis. But the leaders of Britain, France and Germany failed to conceal their differences over the best way to achieve it.

While Iraq was top of the agenda, the three also held discussions on a common European security and defence policy. Next month's Rome summit and the new EU constitution also generated comment. The following are excerpts from the summit.

On Iraq

Chancellor Schroeder: We all agree that it is the task of the international community to give Iraq a prospect of democracy and stability. Naturally, there is still need for discussion about the methods and ways of action... However, we want to give the United Nations a more important role, and it is necessary to make sure that political responsibility is transferred to an Iraqi authority as soon as possible.

President Chirac: It is true that, with regard to Iraq, our concerns are not yet totally convergent, but it's true to say that this matter must be discussed at the level of the [UN] Security Council, even if each of our analyses have their own character...

France is of the view that there must now be a change of course, with a transfer of sovereignty to the Iraqi authorities ... as soon as possible, that is to say, in a matter of months. On the basic issues I don't think our views differ, but on the modalites and the timetable we're not yet in full agreement...

Prime Minister Blair: In New York we will discuss a UN resolution... However, it is very important that we really are in agreement on one thing: we want a stable, democratic Iraq, and, of course, government responsibility is to be handed over to the Iraqis as soon as possible...

No matter the nuances or differences among us, we must all realise that the task of reconstruction is a task that we all want to see fulfilled. And this will be possible only if the United Nations plays a key role.

On a common security and defence policy

Chancellor Schroeder: The three of us think it is important for Europe, for strengthening its ability to act but also ...to work in partnership with the United States. The point is to improve Europe's military capabilities. We are firmly convinced that this will strengthen Nato. Nato is indispensable for Europe's security. In this respect, all talk about ESDP (European Security and Defence Policy) perhaps being aimed at Nato is absurd.

Prime Minister Blair: I believe everybody realises that this issue is best brought forward in a spirit of co-operation and mutual recognition. This includes that the issues of European defence and Nato belong together and are not at all in conflict with each other.

On the draft EU constitution

Chancellor Schroeder: We think the Convention has done a good job... However, we all want to point out that everyone who calls into question the important principles of this Convention result is also obliged to bring about a new consensus. If this package is unraveled, it will be difficult to achieve an equal or even better consensus.

Prime Minister Blair: We discussed the upcoming government conference, and it is very important that we give the Italian presidency as much help as we can so that it can support the results of the Convention debate. We all agree that Europe really must function effectively and efficiently if we want to make it a Europe of 25 members.

BBC Monitoring, based in Caversham in southern England, selects and translates information from radio, television, press, news agencies and the Internet from 150 countries in more than 70 languages.