The United States and the European Union today put aside past differences and offered support for a greater Nato military role in Iraq.
Both parties offered their full support to efforts to combat international terrorism and to rebuilding post-Saddam Iraq.
In a joint statement, the EU and US leaders said they would support Iraq's urgent request for Nato help in training security forces to deal with countrywide violence.
The breakthrough was announced following talks between US President George W Bush and the EU delegation led by the Taoiseach Mr Ahern at Dromoland Castle today.
The statement endorsed the formation of a fully sovereign Iraqi interim government at the end of the month.
"The European Union and the United States share a common commitment in our support for the Iraqi people and the fully sovereign Iraqi interim government as they build a free, secure democratic, unified and prosperous country, at peace with itself, its neighbours and with the wider world," it said.
"Iraq needs and deserves the strong support of the international community to realise its potential."
It went on to express a shared commitment to urge other, including international organisations, to support the economic and political reconstruction of Iraq, focusing on priority projects identified by the interim Iraqi administration.
The United States and 25-nation EU pledged to help reduce Iraq's estimated US $120 billion foreign debt and support the training of Iraqi security forces.
The 14-point statement said it also supported United Nations' help in rebuilding Iraq and setting up elections no later than January 31, 2005.