Blair and Schroeder will meet French President Chirac next week

Speaking after a meeting with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, Mr Blair said it was a matter for Germany whether it committed troops to Iraq.

Talks between the two leaders came ahead of next week's tripartite summit with French President Jacques Chirac.

The pair also discussed Afghanistan and the proposed European constitution.

Different positions

The talks were aimed at laying the groundwork for the three-way gathering in Berlin on 18 February.

They followed Tory leader Michael Howard's earlier call, also in Berlin, for European states to be able to decide how much integration they want.

Whatever the different positions of our countries in relation to the conflict, everyone wants to see Iraq as a stable, a democratic, a prosperous country Tony Blair Howard outlines his vision of EU

Both Mr Blair and Mr Schroeder were keen to draw a line under any differences between them over the Iraq war, which was staunchly opposed by both France and Germany.

Mr Blair told reporters: "Whatever the different positions of our countries in relation to the conflict, everyone wants to see Iraq as a stable, a democratic, a prosperous country."

He praised Germany for its commitment in Afghanistan, which had been "the centre of the Taleban and international terrorism".

"The fact of the German contribution is making a big, big difference in that country," said Mr Blair.

German decision

But, he was more cautious when asked if Britain expected Germany to make a contribution of troops to Iraq.

"That's very much a matter for Germany and the German government," he said.

"I am pleased obviously that within the UN we have cooperated well diplomatically - that's been important too."

Mr Schroeder insisted that his country was ready "to make a contribution" to the reconstruction efforts in Iraq.

He said both leaders had agreed that it did not make sense to go over the historic reasons for their opposing views on the war.

"We're very much agreed that we want to strongly help the process of democratisation along," said Mr Schroeder.

Industry

Germany has a "strong interest in continuing a sustainable commitment" to Afghanistan, he added.

During the talks, the two men discussed the forthcoming European summit in March and issues connected with the proposed European constitution.

They both emphasised the importance of European industry and ensuring its economy remained strong.

EU leaders have been debating the way the EU constitution should look once 10 new states join the union in May, expanding its membership to 25.

A row over national voting power in EU meetings has become a real stumbling block, with Germany and France on one side and Spain and Poland on the other.

Mr Chirac and Mr Schroeder have said they hope for an agreement under the Irish EU presidency, which ends in June.