19/10/2007 (Agence Europe) - At the informal Lisbon Summit on Friday, the Heads of State and Government of the EU agreed to debate the idea put forward by French President Nicolas Sarkozy of creating a “group of the wise” to reflect on the future of the EU, at the European Council of December. “At the forthcoming Summit (in December), the Portuguese Presidency will make a proposal on the mandate of this group of the wise”, announced the Portuguese Prime Minister and current President of the European Council, José Socrates, at the final press conference. Under Mr Sarkozy's proposal, this group of the wise, to be made up of between 10 and 12 members, will reflect on the future of Europe between now and 2020-2030, and on its place in globalisation. However, Mr Socrates warned, “we will not be reopening the institutional debate”. Pending the creation of a group of the wise in December, “no new chapters will be opened” in accession negotiations between the EU in Turkey, said Mr Sarkozy. (H.B.)