Brussels, 10/12/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 10 December, the General Affairs Council gave its agreement in principle to the draft mandate (put together by Coreper) for a “reflection group”, to be instituted by the European Council of this Friday 14 December, which will reflect on Europe in 2020-2030 (EUROPE 9559). According to this draft mandate, the group, which will be made up of 12-15 people, will be tasked with identifying the key issues and changes the EU will probably have to face up to between now and 2020-2030, and to analyse how these challenges can be met. Among these subjects, the text quotes: the reinforcement and modernisation of the “European model of economic success and social responsibility”, the rule of law (a subject which was added on Monday by request of the Council), sustainable development, global security, migration, energy, climate protection, the fight against international crime and terrorism. As agreed, the group will discuss neither institutional issues (this will remain under the framework of the Treaty of Lisbon), nor the forthcoming financial perspectives. Nor will it review existing Community policy. The results of the reflection will be presented to the European Council of June 2010. On Monday, a number of ministers stated the view that the group should keep a low profile until the ratification process for the Treaty of Lisbon has been concluded, in order to avoid any confusion between this treaty and the long-term reflection. There are no plans for this week's European Council to take position on the composition of the group, but on Monday, various delegations spoke in favour of its president being appointed in the near future. The names of several candidates for this position are being whispered in the corridors, such as the Finnish former Nokia boss, Jorma Ollila, and the former president of Latvia, Vaira Vike-Freiberga. (H.B.)