Prodi voiced his disapproval last month after Britain, France and Germany met separately during an EU leaders' summit in Belgium to discuss military moves in Afghanistan.

CNN: Prodi calls for EU unity on terror

He said her health had deteriorated so much in recent years that she might not be authorised to travel on military aircraft to Belgium, where he would be based.

BBC: US General John Allen. File photo

Spain, Denmark, Belgium and Qatar also pledged military cooperation.

WSJ: Allied Forces Attack Libya

Robertson says if the EU wants to use NATO assets, such as airborne warning and control aircraft, intelligence and communications, they will have to use the NATO military planning facility at supreme allied headquarters in Belgium.

CNN: NATO battles EU over defence

The refusal by France, Germany and Belgium to agree to NATO's plans to bolster Turkey's defences against a potential military threat from Iraq left the Americans incandescent.

ECONOMIST: Old Europe’s last gasp? | The