STOCKHOLM, Jan 7 (AFP) - Sweden, the current holder of the European Union presidency, said on Sunday that it needs "more facts" about Balkans Syndrome and depleted uranium munitions before taking any action.

"Before taking concrete measures, we have to wait for more facts," Swedish defence spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Anders Eisen told the TT news agency.

"We are taking the concerns expressed here and there very seriously, but first we have to collect more facts," Eisen said. On Saturday, Greek Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos called on his Swedish counterpart Bjorn von Sydow to take action at a European level.

NATO's top decision-making body, the North Atlantic Council, will meet on Tuesday to discuss the crisis over the controversial ammunition, which is being blamed for causing cancer in veterans. On the same day, the European Union political and security committee will also discuss Balkans Syndrome, as the appearance of unusual health problems in former peacekeepers is being called.  Seven Italian soldiers, five Belgians, two Dutch, two Spaniards, a Portuguese and a Czech have died from cancer since returning from tours of duty in Bosnia or Kosovo where the US fired depleted uranium shells.

Depleted uranium emits low levels of radiation, and is so far only considered to be dangerous if it is inhaled or ingested. The material is used to penetrate armour and concrete bunkers because it is denser than other metals. No link has been established between the ammunitions and the deaths.