France and Germany are touting a fast-track path to bolster Europe's limited military capability, against the backdrop of continued fractious relations between Washington, Paris and Berlin, and amidst growing aerospace industry concerns over the political rift.

In last week's mini-defense summit, Belgium, France, Germany and Luxembourg unveiled a plan intended to jump-start stalled European defense efforts. The four nations urged that a European Security and Defense Union be established for those member states that wish to move more quickly to bolster military capabilities.

The four also asked the constitutional convention to introduce the principle of "reinforced cooperation" in defense matters in the new EU constitution, now in preparation. This would allow certain countries to engage, on a voluntary basis, in closer cooperation, which is currently applicable to common security and foreign policy, but not defense.

The proposals were due to be presented late last week before the European Union foreign ministers council, and will be submitted to the EU heads-of-state summit in Thessalonika, Greece, at the end of June.

Other points put forward for inclusion in the constitution were: