European Union foreign policy chief Mr Javier Solana urged the United States and the EU to "cool off" after a rift between them over Iraq.
Asked to comment on the diplomatic scuffle between the United States and some traditional allies in Europe like France and Germany, Mr Solana said: "A rift between the European Union and the United States would be a very, very negative thing and I hope very much that it won't be introduced.
"I think we have to cool off a little bit, on statements etc. to look at the situation with rational eyes."
"We are allies of the United States. We have a very profound friendship with the United States and we have to do the utmost to maintain this relationship," Mr Solana told reporters in Athens after meeting Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov.Earlier, Washington shrugged off opposition to what some see as a rush to war. China and Russia have joined France, Germany and Canada in urging the United States to give UN weapons inspectors more time in Iraq.
The United States and its ally Britain have threatened to act unilaterally against Iraq, despite committing themselves to awaiting the outcome of the inspectors' work.
So far, the team, led by Dr Hans Blix, has not found a "smoking gun", but they have complained of a lack of co-operation.
But Secretary of State Colin Powell said other supporters could be found if the United States decided to go to war. "I don't think we'll have to worry about going it alone," he said in Washington after talks with Britain's Foreign Secretary Mr Jack Straw.
Agencies