Spain ex-PM to look at EU future

Felipe Gonzalez took Spain into what is now the EU in 1986

The former Spanish Prime Minister, Felipe Gonzalez, has been chosen by European leaders to head a review of the long-term issues faced by the EU.

The idea of a group of "wise persons" was first mooted by the French President, Nicolas Sarkozy, to consider where the EU's boundaries should lie.

Mr Sarkozy had hoped the group would consider the future status of Turkey.

But the panel is now likely to focus on global security, migration and the fight against crime and terrorism.

High profile figures

Felipe Gonzalez is Spain's longest-serving prime minister and led his country in 1986 into what is now the European Union.

FELIPE GONZALEZ 1942: Born, son of a livestock farmer 1964: Joined the Spanish socialists, banned under General Franco 1982: Aged 40, he became Europe's youngest head of government 1994: His government was accused of employing death squads against Basque separatist guerrillas 1996: Voted out of office 2004: Stood down as MP

He will be joined by two other high profile European figures, according to a draft statement made at the EU summit in Brussels.

Former Latvian President, Vaira Vike-Freiberga, and Jorma Ollila, ex-chairman of mobile phone company Nokia, have been selected as vice presidents of the group.

Dutch former footballer, Johan Cruyff, has been mentioned as another potential member of the panel, although there is no indication that he would agree to such an invitation.

Lukewarm support

A number of European leaders were unimpressed with the idea of a so-called "reflection group".

Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen said he would go along with it, although he thought that Denmark would be "able to reflect by ourselves".

British MEP, Graham Watson, who is head of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats in the European Parliament, thought the panel pointless after the long process towards the Lisbon Treaty.

"Why another reflection group? We've only just come out of a period of reflection," he said.