These so-called "deliverables" include signing a mutual legal assistance agreement, an extradition treaty, launching negotiations on a transatlantic aviation area and promotion of hydrogen economy.

But with US officials welcoming EU statements on security as a "new realism" both sides seem to be striking a more conciliatory tone.

"It is good to see Europe getting its act together on these issues. After all, some countries in Europe's backyard could soon become nuclear powers." said one US diplomat.

"There will be serious news coming out of the summit on these ideas."

Brussels matters

EU leaders also hope this week's EU-US summit may also mark a shift in the way Washington treats the Union.

In what is perhaps a sign of the delicacy with which the US is treating the summit, the EU delegation will meet with almost all senior figures in the administration, save the outspoken Defence Secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, who has been criticised by some EU leaders for his lack of diplomacy.

The Commission hopes the high-level reception signals a policy shift.

The Bush administration has caused consternation in Brussels by by-passing the Union and dealing directly with member states, even in areas where the Union has a clear mandate to negotiate for its members.

The Union's executive has legally challenged some member states for signing bilateral maritime security agreements with the US, an issue which will now be discussed with representatives of the whole EU, "It took them a while", remarked one Commission official.

Attempts to exclude US citizens from prosecution by the International Criminal Court has also caused bad feeling.

The EU has firmly backed the ICC, and has opposed attempts by the US to sign bilaterial agreements with some would-be EU members, resulting in some states being placed under enormous pressure from both sides. Diplomats did not rule out that this issue would be raised.

But with 'disaggregation' - or its more robust twin 'divide and conquer' - becoming the buzzword to describe US policy on Europe, Washington is keen to reject the notion that it is acting as a spoiler on European integration.

However, even with the political will and economic necessity, the list of remaining disputes is sobering.

Leaders are also expected to discuss a list of problems that have surfaced in the current round of WTO negotiations and have so far acted as a log jam on the whole of negotiations.

Discussions will also take place on an EU-US free trade zone.