Europe's smaller nations appear unperturbed by the prospect of France, Germany and the UK stepping up their cooperation in European matters.

As the "big three" prepare for a key summit, speculation has been rife that the triumvirate is causing irritation in smaller capitals.

The leaders of the UK, France and Germany meet on February 18 in Berlin for a three-way summit.

But parallel meetings will also take place between foreign ministers as well as several other senior ministers.

Recent reports have suggested that some EU capitals are concerned at attempts to dominate by the major nations.

But among a cross-section of the smaller nations the mood cautious rather than angered.

"It's good to cooperate," a Dutch source told EUpolitix.com.

And when the three meet, he pointed out, most of Europe's interests are represented at the table.

"Of course," he added, "it's never good when people meet to make decisions that affect you and you're not there."

And for Portugal, once an outspoken critic of the "big three's" elitist behaviour, there is now, said one official "no tendency, no trend to think that way. We are not afraid of these meetings."

Belgian government officials also claim to be "pragmatic".

"It's not a real problem. We always supported the Franco-German axis. If Britain joins, all the better. If we want a common foreign policy it will only work if these three find a common basis," said a Belgian source.